Kaizer Chiefs have improved somewhat since Nasreddine Nabi left, but they are still not on the level of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
Despite a flying start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, Amakhosi have dropped after round six and find themselves four points behind log leaders.
The Soweto giants sacked Nabi in October and then promoted his assistants as co-coaches for the remainder of the season.
Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze have gotten the best out of some players, but upfront, they have relied heavily on the new signings.
Kaizer Chiefs players who excelled after Nabi left
Dillan Solomons
With Solomons’ contract expiring end of the season, it looked as if the 29-year-old’s days at Naturena were coming to an end.
The signing of Thabiso Monyane sent him down the pecking order; however, when the ex-Orlando Pirates right-back got injured, Solomons took his opportunity.
Last season, he featured 16 times across all competitions and was used as Reeve Frosler’s backup. Under the guidance of the co-coaches, the former Moroka Swallows star has featured nine times for Chiefs this campaign, scoring once.
Zith Kwinika
The 31-year-old tough centre-back has not had it easy at Chiefs. Under Nabi, Zwinika made only six appearances for Kaizer Chiefs but impressed towards the end of last season.
With Ben Youssef and Caze giving him confidence, the Soweto-born defender has played 16 times across all competitions this season and is one of the standout players.
Bradley Cross
Nabi could not get the best of Cross, but the young left-back has improved this campaign and is one of the few Kaizer Chiefs players who made the preliminary Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.
Another player who has improved since Nabi left is Sibongiseni Mthethwa. Ox has been a key player for Amakhosi in the middle of the park this season.