Chiefs Coach Nab​i Red‑Carded After Arrows Clash, Assistant Speaks Out

When Nasreddine Nabi, head coach of Kaizer Chiefs was shown a red card by referee Olani Kwinda after a 1‑0 loss to Golden Arrows, the South African football world stopped to stare. The incident unfolded at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday, 8 September 2025, during a Betway Premiership matchMoses Mabhida Stadium. Nabi’s outburst, captured on live television, saw him march onto the pitch after the final whistle, point his finger at Kwinda and demand a longer added‑time period.

What sparked the showdown?

According to the match report, Golden Arrows were accused of deliberately slowing the game in the closing minutes – a tactic many clubs employ when protecting a narrow lead. Chiefs’ players, however, felt the referee was overly generous, allowing only three minutes of stoppage time despite the prevailing belief that five or more minutes are common in such fixtures. Khalil Ben Youssef, the assistant coach, later told reporters, “We expected at least five minutes. We usually get more than that in our twelve games so far.”

Why the assistant coach blew up

When pressed about Nabi’s dismissal, the visibly irritated Ben Youssef snapped, “Do I have to answer this question?” He then launched into a detailed critique of the referee’s handling of substitutions. “A normal substitution takes about 30 seconds. We had five windows in the second half and only used three. That alone added frustration.” He added that the limited stoppage time felt like a punitive measure for a team that had already endured what he called “obvious time‑wasting” from the opposition.

History of friction between Nabi and officials

The red‑card episode isn’t an isolated drama. Since taking over in December 2023, Nabi – a Tunisian tactician whose résumé includes stints at ES Sahel and USM Alger – has frequently raised eyebrows with his outspoken criticism of South African referees. In March 2024, after a 2‑1 defeat to Orlando Pirates, he publicly accused the officiating crew of bias and called for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to adopt VAR technology. His outbursts have sparked heated debates on talk‑radio shows and social media, with some fans defending his passion and others demanding more decorum.

What the suspension means for Chiefs

Under PSL rules, a straight red card triggers an automatic two‑match ban for the coach. That means Nabi will miss the upcoming fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits. In his absence, Ben Youssef is expected to take the reins on match‑day, a move that could either stabilise the squad or further expose internal rifts. Chiefs finished the 2024‑25 season in fourth place, narrowly missing the MTN8 tournament, and the club’s hierarchy is now under pressure to reconcile the coaching staff’s differing philosophies.

Broader issues: Referee standards and VAR in the PSL

The incident reignites a long‑standing conversation about refereeing standards in South Africa. According to a 2023 PSL audit, 68% of clubs felt “time‑wasting was inconsistently punished.” Meanwhile, the league has trialled VAR in cup competitions but has yet to roll it out for regular league matches. Critics argue that without technology, subjective decisions – like the one that led to Nabi’s red card – will continue to fuel controversy.

Key facts

• Coach Nasreddine Nabi received a red card from referee Olani Kwinda on 8 September 2025.
• Chiefs lost 1‑0 to Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
• Assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef cited limited stoppage time and substitution delays as triggers.
• Nabi faces a two‑match suspension, missing games against Sundowns and Bidvest Wits.
• The episode adds pressure on the PSL to consider VAR and clearer time‑wasting guidelines.