Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly terminated the contract of head coach Nasreddine Nabi just weeks into the 2025-26 Betway Premiership season, despite the team's unbeaten start in league play, according to multiple South African media outlets.

The 60-year-old Tunisian coach, who joined Chiefs in 2024, oversaw a strong opening with three consecutive wins before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United on Tuesday, which propelled the visitors to the top of the standings. The loss, however, does not appear to be the catalyst for the split, as reports emerged the following day citing a breach of contract related to Nabi's coaching qualifications for CAF competitions.

According to SABC Sport, the decision stems from Nabi lacking the specific CAF-equivalent license required to sit on the bench for the club's CAF Confederation Cup matches, despite holding a UEFA Pro License.

Chiefs are set to begin their preliminary round against Angola's Kabuscorp on Saturday in Luanda. The club has not issued an official statement, but the move is said to be immediate, with assistants Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef expected to take interim charge.

Other reports point to personal reasons, with iDiski Times suggesting Nabi chose to leave to support his wife in Tunisia following her recent accident, which had already prompted compassionate leave last month. During his absence, Chiefs secured victories over Stellenbosch FC, Polokwane City, and Richards Bay FC, leading some fans to question the team's dynamics under his full leadership.

Nabi's tenure at Chiefs, spanning two seasons, yielded mixed results. He ended the club's decade-long trophy drought by winning the 2024-25 Nedbank Cup with a 2-1 final victory over Orlando Pirates, but the team finished ninth in the previous Premiership campaign amid inconsistency and criticism of his management style.

Potential replacements mentioned in speculation include former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro, recently sacked by Al Ahly, and even a possible return for ex-Chiefs boss Gavin Hunt.