New Kaizer Chiefs coach beaten TWICE by ex-Orlando Pirates boss
Incoming Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has tasted defeat to a former Orlando Pirates boss twice in two weeks.
Nabi loses out in the Throne Cup final
Nasreddine Nabi’s FAR Rabat side lost the Throne Cup Final on 1 July against Raja Casablanca. Raja, coached by former Pirates boss Josef Zinnbauer, pipped Nabi’s side to the Botola Pro 1 League crown by a single point. This means that Nabi’s much-anticipated move to Kaizer Chiefs will be finalized soon. He could plausibly fly to South Africa this week to be officially unveiled. Interim boss Cavin Johnson was officially sacked on Monday 1 July.
Serial winner also lost out on the league title
Josef Zinnbauer’s Raja Casablanca produced a late surge to claim the Botola Pro 1 League crown in Morocco. Nabi’s FAR side scored the most goals, 65 from 30 matches to be precise, but Casablanca had more defensive nous to their game.
Kaizer Chiefs reunion on the cards for Blom?
Meanwhile, former Amakhosi midfield general Njabulo Blom might be considering his future with MLS side St. Louis City. They sacked his compatriot and head coach Bradley Carnell. 24-year-old Blom was a regular part of the furniture in his first season stateside. However, with only 11 league appearances from 20 this time, his first-team status isn’t quite as secure. Now, with the dismissal of his Carnell, even more doubts over his future with St. Louis will emerge. His current contract expires in December of this year, but the club has a two-year extension option. He switched to the MLS in the final days of 2022 for a reported €300k (R6 million). His updated value, according to transfermarkt, is €1m, around R20 million. The club could most certainly do a deal for Blom for considerably less than R20 million if they play their cards right.
The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya
TWO NEW MIDFIELDERS, TWO SPECIALISTS FOR ORLANDO PIRATES
Talented pivot Thalente Mbatha is also likely to sign a permanent deal after impressing on loan from SuperSport. Attacking midfielder Thuso Maleleki is rumoured to be on the club’s wish list too, the 24-year-old has starred for Orbit College, and will travel with Jose Riveiro’s men to Spain. With Miguel Timm’s new contract in the bag and the experience of Makhehhelen Makhaula also on the books, Pirates have some depth in midfield. That’s for sure. Performance analyst Devon O’Brien will also be part of the group after arriving from Stellenbosch to bolster the club’s technical resources. The Sea Robbers are also set to hire video analyst Ncwadi Saki.
Orlando Pirates fans are expectant on Soweto Derby Day. Image: BackpagePix