Brandon Petersen dismisses ‘Kaizer Chiefs better without Nabi’ narrative | OneFootball

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Peterson shrugs off 'better without Nabi' claims

Photo: Zakes Photography

Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen has addressed Nasreddine Nabi’s impeding exit and the debate that the team plays better without the Tunisian mentor in charge.

The discourse stems from the Soweto giants’ impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign under the tutelage of assistant coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef.

Upon Nabi’s return on the back of Chiefs’ three-game winning streak, Amakhosi played to a goalless draw with Mamelodi Sundowns and beat Golden Arrows before suffering their first defeat of the season to Sekhukhune United.

In the wake of the defeat, reports emerged that Nabi and Chiefs are set to mutually part ways and the Glamour Boys’ goalie has opened up on the uncertainty, with the coach currently not part of the team amid ongoing talks.

“At the end of the day it’s football, coaches come and go. I think for us it’s to stay focused, we have back-to-back games, and I think for us it’s important to try and keep the team [focused] and make sure that we stay in it,” said Petersen.

“Obviously we have a job at hand, and our job is to play football and make the supporters happy. So, I think that’s the main focus for us, and we are looking forward to the next fixture [vs Marumo Gallants] and going out to do our best.

On the narrative that Chiefs are better off without Nabi, Peterson poured cold water on the suggestions, insisting that it’s nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

“I think we have always been the same whether coach Nabi has been there or not. I think it’s a conspiracy. It’s important for us to always respect whoever is in charge because our job is to play football and listen to the coaches and do what we are instructed to do,” he added.

“At the end of the day, this is football, coaches come and go. For us it’s to stay focused on our job at hand and our job is to play football and that’s the main focus for us.