Kaizer Chiefs legend Gardner Seale has responded sharply to comments made by the club’s former goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, regarding the current head coach, Nasreddine Nabi. Khune, who spent the majority of his career at Chiefs and earned a reputation as one of the club’s most iconic players, recently made remarks about Nabi’s methods and the direction in which he is taking the team. His comments, which were seen as critical, have not gone down well with some sections of the Chiefs fanbase, including Seale, who has weighed in on the matter.
Khune, in an interview, suggested that the Chiefs’ current coaching setup under Nabi had not been up to the standard expected of a club of the stature of Kaizer Chiefs. While Khune didn’t directly criticize Nabi’s ability, his comments implied that the team lacked the right tactical direction and leadership. As a player who had spent the majority of his career at the club, Khune’s opinions have carried weight among supporters, but they have also sparked a strong reaction from those within the Chiefs’ fraternity who feel that such public criticism is unwarranted.
Gardner Seale, a former Chiefs star and a player who is deeply embedded in the club’s history, did not hold back in his response to Khune’s remarks. Speaking out on social media and in interviews, Seale expressed his disappointment, saying that Khune, as a senior player with years of experience at Chiefs, should have shown more support for the club’s leadership rather than voicing criticism publicly.
“I have a lot of respect for Itumeleng Khune and what he’s done for Kaizer Chiefs, but I don’t think this is the right approach. We are all invested in the success of the club, and if there are issues, they should be addressed in the proper channels, not through public comments that can create unnecessary division,” Seale said. “Kaizer Chiefs is a big club, and we need to stand behind the coach and the team. It’s important to remember that Nabi is the coach now, and he has been brought in to do a job. We need to give him the time and support to succeed, just like any other coach.”
Seale’s comments reflect the ongoing debate around the current state of Kaizer Chiefs under Nabi’s leadership. The club, which has been under intense pressure to return to its former glory, has faced a tough period in recent seasons. Chiefs have struggled to regain their dominance in South African football, with inconsistent performances and a lack of major trophies in recent years. Nabi, who took over as head coach, has been tasked with restoring the team’s competitive edge and bringing success back to the club, but the road has been far from easy.
While many Chiefs fans have shown their support for Nabi, believing that he deserves time to build a strong squad and implement his vision, others have voiced their concerns about his tactics and the team’s overall performance. Khune’s comments seem to echo the frustrations of some fans who feel that the team is not living up to expectations, especially with the wealth of talent that Kaizer Chiefs possesses.
In contrast, Seale’s viewpoint is one of unity and patience, stressing that the success of the team will ultimately depend on collective support rather than internal divisions. He believes that the club’s players, coaching staff, and fans need to come together and back the coach in order to achieve the desired results.
“Chiefs is a family,” Seale added. “And no matter what happens, we should always remember that. It’s about coming together, supporting the players and the coach, and pushing the team forward. Negative comments, whether from inside or outside the club, don’t help anyone. We need to build, not break down.”
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Nabi and how he handles the pressure, especially with the club’s legendary figures, like Khune and Seale, expressing their views. The situation at Chiefs remains delicate, with the team striving for success while dealing with the weight of past expectations and the scrutiny that comes with being one of South Africa’s most successful and popular football clubs. How the club handles internal disagreements and supports its coaching staff will be critical in the months to come.
