For a club with the prestige and history of Kaizer Chiefs, the lack of consistent goal-scoring has become an alarming concern. Known as one of the giants of South African football, Amakhosi have long prided themselves on producing attacking talent capable of delivering moments of brilliance in front of goal. However, in recent seasons—especially the current one—the club has found itself in a prolonged struggle to field a reliable striker who can regularly find the back of the net.
This recurring issue has not only frustrated fans but has also had tangible consequences on the club’s performance in the DStv Premiership. A club of Chiefs’ caliber should be challenging for titles and securing top positions on the league table, but instead, they find themselves repeatedly dropping points in matches where they had clear opportunities to win.
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The Striker Conundrum: A Recurring Nightmare
At the heart of Chiefs’ misfiring attack is a glaring lack of cutting edge. The strikers currently on the club’s roster—while showing potential in moments—have collectively failed to provide the kind of goal return expected at a club like Chiefs. Whether it’s issues of confidence, positioning, decision-making in the final third, or simply a lack of composure, the outcomes have remained the same: squandered chances and dropped points.
It’s not uncommon to see Chiefs dominate possession, create a string of chances, and yet come away from matches with no goals or just a solitary strike. That inefficiency in front of goal has led to several disappointing results that have severely hampered their ambitions this season.
This repeated pattern of underperformance has led to growing calls—both from supporters and media figures—for the club to consider introducing a finishing coach. The idea is that a specialist could work closely with the forwards to improve their technique, mental approach, and overall goal-scoring instincts.
Enter Coach Nasreddine Nabi: Facing the Heat
When Nasreddine Nabi took over as head coach of Kaizer Chiefs, expectations were high. Renowned for his tactical acumen and success in other African leagues, Nabi was seen as the man who could bring discipline, structure, and a winning mentality back to Naturena.
While there have been signs of improvement in how the team plays—especially in terms of shape and possession—scoring remains a significant weakness. Nabi has not shied away from acknowledging the issue, and his recent comments offer a deeper look into how he and the technical team view the problem.
Speaking after yet another disappointing result in which the club failed to capitalize on a chance to climb the league table, Coach Nabi addressed the increasing talk about the need for a finishing coach.
“We feel that not scoring is not an issue about a coach for strikers,” Nabi said. “Probably it is an idea we can discuss with management, but it is not an issue for today’s game.”
His response, while open-ended, suggests that the coaching staff does not currently view the addition of a finishing coach as the definitive solution. Nabi’s tone was cautious but direct—he did not rule out the possibility but made it clear that the issue runs deeper than just specialized training.
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Structural vs. Situational Problems
Nabi’s remarks also reflect a more systemic perspective. He went on to highlight that the same mistakes—whether in defending, passing, or decision-making—continue to haunt the team. It’s not just about strikers missing chances; it’s also about the buildup play, the transitions, and the mental lapses that repeatedly undo their hard work.
“I am not being dramatic, but it is bad,” Nabi admitted. “It is not the first game we have a chance to move up the log standings but drop points. The mistakes we continue to commit have been the same since the start of the season.”
These words point to a deeper frustration. It’s not only about failing to score but also about consistently failing to correct tactical and mental errors that cost the team dearly. When these mistakes compound a weak attack, the result is predictable: stagnation on the league table and a restless fan base.
The Psychological Component of Goal-Scoring
One cannot overlook the psychological side of the game, especially when it comes to finishing. A striker low on confidence is less likely to take a shot on instinct or follow through on risky opportunities. Chiefs’ forwards seem to be caught in this mental trap—a combination of pressure, scrutiny, and fear of making mistakes.
A finishing coach could, in theory, help alleviate some of these issues by working on repetitive drills, building muscle memory, and helping players develop composure in front of goal. But it also takes time and consistent application, something not easily achieved mid-season unless it’s a long-term project integrated into the club’s development philosophy.
The Case For and Against a Finishing Coach
Arguments For:
- Specialized Training: A finishing coach could offer tailored drills focusing specifically on techniques such as one-touch finishes, heading, composure in one-on-one situations, and movement in the box.
- Confidence Building: Working closely with someone dedicated to attacking play could rebuild the confidence of struggling strikers.
- Modern Football Trend: Many elite clubs around the world employ specialized coaches for every aspect of play—from throw-ins to set pieces to finishing. Chiefs could benefit from embracing this approach.
Arguments Against:
- Not a Quick Fix: As Nabi suggests, the problems may go beyond finishing. Hiring a specialist won’t fix broader tactical or structural issues.
- Limited Impact Mid-Season: Bringing in a new coach without a preseason or long-term integration may disrupt rather than help.
- Accountability of Current Staff: There may be a belief within the club that the current coaching staff—including Nabi and his assistants—should be able to develop finishing in training sessions without outsourcing it..
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Tactical Considerations: Are Chiefs Creating Enough Chances?
Another question worth exploring is whether Chiefs are creating quality chances. It’s one thing to have possession and take speculative shots; it’s another to generate clear goal-scoring opportunities through smart movement and incisive passing.
Some matches have shown Chiefs building well through the midfield but stalling near the final third. Whether it’s a lack of width, poor crossing, or ineffective link-up play, the service to the strikers has often been subpar. In such a case, blaming the strikers alone would be unfair.
This loops back to the system itself. Are the strikers isolated? Are the midfielders contributing enough? Is there a creative spark missing from the squad? These are questions that a head coach, not a finishing coach, must answer.
Looking Ahead: What Needs to Change?
While Nabi’s comments suggest that the idea of a finishing coach isn’t completely off the table, he clearly believes the problem requires a more holistic solution. That includes:
- Reducing individual and tactical errors across the pitch
- Boosting mental resilience and discipline
- Improving the overall team structure to support attacking play
Chiefs’ management will need to assess the current squad in the upcoming transfer window and possibly invest in both player personnel and coaching resources if they want to solve the goal-scoring puzzle.
Conclusion: No Easy Answers
The call for a finishing coach at Kaizer Chiefs is a reflection of growing frustration over missed opportunities and underperformance. While such a specialist could certainly help, Coach Nasreddine Nabi’s thoughtful and somewhat restrained response highlights the complexity of the issue.
The truth is that Chiefs’ problems run deeper than just misfiring strikers. It’s about consistent errors, lapses in concentration, and an overall lack of killer instinct when it matters most. Addressing those issues will require not just new ideas, but also execution, accountability, and a long-term vision.
As the season progresses, fans will be hoping for more than just words. They’ll want goals—and results.
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