Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has welcomed the signing of duo Bradley Cross and Njabulo Blom, saying they’ll add more depth to their squad.
Cross and Blom were unveiled by the club yesterday, the duo putting pen to paper on a four-year deal and season-long loan deal, respectively. Cross is expected to beef up competition at left-back after an impressive stint with Golden Arrows that earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up.
However, the hype has been around Blom, who’s rejoining the club from Major League Soccer (MLS) side St Louis City, who signed him from Amakhosi 18 months ago. The duo are expected to add more depth to Chiefs’ squad, joining five other new signings: Gaston Sirino, Rushwin Dortley, Bongani Sam, Inacio Miguel and Fiacre Ntwari.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Betway Premiership yesterday at The Galleria in Sandton, Nabi reflected on the signing of Goss and Blom.
“We are very happy with their arrival, and there are others that are still coming,” the 59-year-old coach said.
“To get quality is not easy because all the clubs want to keep their best players. I was talking with my colleagues; they all need their players.
“I only want a high level from the players who are joining Kaizer Chiefs – I don’t want a medium. And for that, I will take time.
“I am very happy with the arrival of Njabulo. He’s got the experience, and he’s a boy who’s a family man.
“I am sure Bradley has the personality and the quality that we need, if we use him correctly. He’s also a young player. We’ll continue to work with the scouts to look for more players.”
Since his arrival at the club during the pre-season transfer window, Nabi has been blunt about the fact that he won’t compromise on the quality of the players the club signs.
“We are working hard with the team. You know, we are Kaizer Chiefs and a big brand in South African football so the expectations are higher,” the Tunisian reiterated.
“I can’t tell you that I am happy with my team – I am not yet happy. I know where I am going and we’ll probably get there.”
Nabi is putting his money where his mouth is.
“Even yesterday, I refused one striker. He’s playing in Portugal, but I refused him because he doesn’t have the level that I wanted for Kaizer Chiefs,” said the former Young Africans coach.
The Glamour Boys have been below-par in the past nine years, having endured a barren streak, to the displeasure of their supporters who’ve been mocked by their Orlando Pirates counterparts.
The Sea Robbers have hit calm waters under coach Jose Riveiro, winning back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles, while finishing as runners-up twice in a row in the league.
The Bucs are expected to take their success up a notch this season by knocking serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns off their perch in the Premiership. Riveiro, who’s already guided his team to a record-extending MTN8 final, where they’ll face Stellenbosch FC on October 5, has made a pledge to ‘The Ghost’ ahead of the start of the league season.
“They can expect full commitment from the team. With the challenge that we have in front of us, they can expect a brave team going into the games,” said Riveiro at the launch.
“They can expect us to go into the games and play good football and get the results that we need, which is to win matches.
“They can expect us to work hard to achieve what they want at the club. That’s all the things we can have in our control. Let’s see how far we can go with that.”
Riveiro says he’s content with his squad, though nothing is impossible.