In a recent chat on Podcast and Chill with MacG, Brian Baloyi, the esteemed goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs, made an intriguing comparison.
He likened current head coach Nasreddine Nabi to the legendary Muhsin Ertuğral, who has a special place in the club’s history.
Baloyi highlighted Nabi’s strong focus on nurturing young talent, saying, “He loves youngsters,” as reported by iDiski Times.
This commitment mirrors Ertuğral’s legacy, especially considering that he gave a teenage Itumeleng Khune his debut at just 16 years old. Since then, Khune has become a true club icon.
Embracing Young Talent Under Nabi
Since taking the reins at Naturena, Nabi has shown a remarkable openness to trusting young players.
Baloyi pointed out that under Nabi’s leadership, rising stars like Wandile Duba, Mfundo Vilakazi, Samkelo Zwane, and Mduduzi Shabalala have all had ample playing time.
“You’ll see a lot of the youngsters, ‘cos this man reminds me a lot of Muhsin Ertuğral,” Baloyi remarked.
By allowing these young athletes the opportunity to shine on the field, Nabi is creating an environment where they can flourish.
This approach not only builds confidence in young players but also aligns with the club’s long-term vision of assembling a strong squad.
Nabi’s willingness to integrate youth into the first team speaks volumes about his coaching philosophy, making it an exciting period for fans of Kaizer Chiefs.
Edson Castillo’s Surprising National Team Call-Up
In another noteworthy turn of events, Kaizer Chiefs’ attacking midfielder Edson Castillo has received an unexpected call-up to the Venezuelan national team for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Paraguay.
This selection comes despite Coach Nabi expressing concerns about Castillo’s recent form.
Last season, Castillo was a standout performer for the Chiefs, but his performance dipped toward the end of the campaign, which contributed to the club’s underwhelming 10th-place finish.
Nabi was open about Castillo’s challenges, noting, “Castillo last season started good, but he went down… maybe that situation impacted his morale, his confidence.”
The coach stressed the importance of rebuilding that confidence, adding, “I give him a chance, but there aren’t many chances left.”
Nabi’s comments highlight the hurdles Castillo must overcome to regain his form and secure his position both in the Chiefs lineup and with the national team.
Upcoming Matches for Venezuela
Venezuela currently sits sixth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with 10 points.
Castillo’s inclusion in the national squad shows the faith that the national team coach has in him.
Upcoming Matches:
- Thursday, October 10: Venezuela vs. Argentina (Caracas)
- Tuesday, October 15: Paraguay vs. Venezuela (Asunción)