Nasreddine Nabi’s first season in charge of Kaizer Chiefs will be remembered for one thing, the end of a 10-year trophy drought.
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The Tunisian tactician led Amakhosi to Nedbank Cup glory, a feat none of the club’s recent coaches managed. But while the cup win was historic, Nabi’s overall results across all competitions tell a more sobering story when compared to his four predecessors.
In total, Nabi oversaw 33 matches in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign. Of those, Chiefs won 12, drew eight and lost 13. They scored 38 goals, conceded 39 and collected 44 points at a points-per-match (PPM) rate of 1.33. These figures, while enough to yield silverware, fall behind the standards set by some of the men who sat in the hot seat before him.
Arthur Zwane, who coached the team in 2022/23, managed the same number of matches as Nabi but with more efficiency. Zwane's side recorded 17 wins, seven draws and 13 defeats, scoring 44 goals and conceding 41. He racked up 58 points at a PPM of 1.57. Though he left empty-handed in terms of trophies, Zwane maintained a stronger record over the course of the season.
Stuart Baxter’s second stint also edges out Nabi statistically. In his 26 matches across all competitions, Baxter won 11, drew six and lost nine. His team scored 31 and let in just 25, ending with 39 points and a PPM of 1.50. Despite the short spell, Baxter maintained a level of defensive solidity and tactical balance that reflected in his numbers.
Gavin Hunt, who oversaw 44 matches during his time at Naturena, struggled to find a consistent formula. His side won 12, drew 17 and lost 15, scoring 44 goals and conceding 52. With 53 points and a PPM of 1.20, Hunt recorded the lowest points-per-match ratio among the five coaches. His tenure lacked both results and silverware, and ultimately cost him his job.
Ernst Middendorp, whose 2019/20 campaign is still remembered for its dramatic ending, delivered the most successful run on paper. His team played 35 games in all competitions, winning 20, drawing six and losing nine. They scored 66 goals, conceded 42 and collected 66 points, with a PPM of 1.89, the highest in this comparison. Middendorp infamously fell at the final hurdle in the league but his numbers reflect a season of genuine title contention.
What separates Nabi from the pack is not statistical dominance but the ability to deliver where it counts. Chiefs fans have waited nearly a decade for a trophy, and the Nedbank Cup triumph has finally given them something to celebrate. It’s a tangible reward, unlike the near-misses and false dawns under his predecessors.
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Still, the numbers raise questions about consistency and squad progression. Nabi’s win ratio is lower than all but Hunt’s. The goal difference is negative, and the total wins across all competitions remain modest. For a club of Chiefs’ stature, one cup win is a start, but the foundation laid this season will need to be built on with a much stronger domestic showing next time around.
