• Before the semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns, Nabi shocked players by saying he’d leave if they didn’t win.

• Chiefs now head to the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates with Nabi still in charge.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi nearly packed his bags until a surprise tactic saved his job.

Before Sunday’s Nedbank Cup semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns, Nabi dropped a bombshell in the dressing room. He told his players that if they didn’t make it to the final, he’d walk away, Citizen reported.

“I don’t know if it was just a tactic to motivate the boys or if he was serious,” a source told the Mgosi Squad. “But it definitely worked, you could see how committed the players were.”

The source said the room went quiet when Nabi made the announcement. “The players were shocked,” they said.

Nabi joined Amakhosi at the start of the season, with high hopes that he’d bring glory back to the struggling club. But it’s been a bumpy ride in the league.

Now, with a hard-fought win over Sundowns behind them, Chiefs are one match away from silverware and Nabi is still calling the shots.

They’ll take on arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 10 May.

Pictured above: Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi.

Image source: @KaizerChiefs