TOUGH TIMES Nasreddine Nabi has congratulated his Mamelodi Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso. | Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
KAIZER Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has congratulated his counterparts Miguel Cardoso of Mamelodi Sundowns, Jose Riviero of Orlando Pirates and Steve Barker of Stellenbosch for the continental football exploits.
Both Betway Premiership title-chasing Sundowns and Pirates advanced to the semi-finals of the Caf Champions League and third-place defending Stellenbosch to the same stage in the Caf Confederation Cup.
Nabi admitted to congratulating Sundowns specifically, with a heavy heart, though, not because the two teams will clash in the Nedbank Cup semi-final on Sunday evening (6pm kick-off), but because they beat his homeboys Esperance de Tunis.
Pirates beat Algerians MC Alger whilst Stellies beat Egyptian giants Zamalek - all with a 1-0 aggregate scoreline.
“It is for us to say congratulations to Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch. In the Champions League we have two teams from South Africa, that is Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. This proves the level of the league in South Africa,” said Nabi in the Nedbank Cup press conference in Johannesburg on Thursday.
“This I think will also improve the level of football in South Africa because now the competition between the teams is much stronger than before.
“I have to thank my colleagues Steve, Miguel and Jose (for their efforts). I feel a little bit sad because Sundowns beat my Tunisian team Esperance (de Tunis), but they (Sundowns) deserve to be in the semi-final.”
Regarding Sunday’s game, Nabi acknowledged that maybe the pressure is on the side of Chiefs as they try to rewrite the club’s history.
“For this game, I’m not only thinking for myself but I am thinking for the fans, for the club and also for our players,” said the Tunisian.
“It’s a big opportunity for us to write history for the team. Why not qualify for the final and think of winning the cup.
“It has been a long time for us not winning cups, so it’s a big opportunity for us to rewrite history for the team.”
The Nedbank Cup title is the last shot Chiefs have for silverware this season.
Not only that, it is their last shot to stop the 10-year trophy drought from becoming full circle as they lifted a cup in 2015.
