Nabi had reportedly been on the shortlist of candidates to take over the vacant Eagles of Carthage job amid their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification bid, which would have required he leave his current position with Chiefs, whom he joined just seven months ago.

However, shortly after the Soweto giants pipped Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at Athlone Stadium on Friday night, the Tunisian-born tactician told reporters that he had rejected advances from his native Federation over the vacant senior men’s team position.

"I'd like to say thank you to Dr Kaizer Motaung, Kaizer Jr and Bobby Motaung, and the entire management. I have been offered an opportunity to go coach my country," said Nabi, as translated by assistant coach Cedric Kaze.

"And we sat together and decided that I'm going to pass on this big opportunity to coach my mother country, but I also feel it's an honour to be here and I say thank you to the management and everyone."

It is also reported that the Tunisian Football Federation would have had to fork out $700 000 (R13 million) to trigger the release clause in Nabi’s contract with The Glamour Boys.

Turning his attention back to the Betway Premiership, the 59-year-old feels there’s something to build on as they completed the league double over Stellies to momentarily move up to the fourth spot on the table, with 25 points from 17 matches.

"I'm very happy about the performance today, and for the three points, it's not easy to beat a team like Stellenbosch two times in the space of a few weeks," he added.

"Because they are a very good team with very good coaching staff, and also to win in Cape Town is not always easy, so I'm very happy with the three points and the performance."

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