Nasreddine Nabi Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi wants fans to trust the process. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media
Kaizer Chiefs’ subdued form continues to cast doubt over their top-eight ambitions, even as they cling to eighth place in the Premiership following a goalless draw against Chippa United last Saturday.
The result at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha mirrored much of their season – a mix of promise and missed opportunities.
Just a week after an impressive performance in the 2-1 Nedbank Cup semi-final win over Mamelodi Sundowns, they were unable to follow it up with another strong showing against Chippa.
That left their league top-eight hopes delicately poised and the Amakhosi in danger of missing out for two seasons in a row.
They now have a full week to prepare for Saturday’s clash against Marumo Gallants at the FNB Stadium (3pm kick-off).
Their cup semi-final win has put them in line for a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup should they win the tournament.
But in quieter moments of reflection, coach Nasreddine Nabi will know that while there have been small successes, the season hasn’t lived up to expectations
The Phefeni Glamour Boys have now gone five matches without a win, managing just three points from a possible 15 – courtesy of three draws and two defeats in the league.
The weekend’s draw helped the Amakhosi hold onto eighth place, thanks in part to favourable results elsewhere.
But the pressure is mounting, with Chippa just one point behind in ninth – and crucially, the Chilli Boys still have two games in hand over the Soweto giants.
Chiefs coach Nabi believes his side faced a tough test, but they also didn’t deliver the desired performance on the night.
“It was a very tough game. But to be honest with you, we didn’t deserve to win this game,” the Tunisian mentor reflected after his side’s draw.
The Amakhosi mentor went on to say that his players were still dealing with the emotional hangover from their impressive Nedbank Cup semi-final win over Sundowns a week ago, and lacked the fight needed to secure victory against the Gqeberha-based outfit.
“To win this game, you must have been ready for every challenge and be first to the ball,” he said.
“Mentally, we were not ready for this game because to win this game, we needed to be 100 percent ready to fight.”
Nabi added that the Chilli Boys played some decent football on the night, and they were deserving of the point they got.
“We knew after the semi-final win against Sundowns that it would be tough to prepare our players mentally to remain focused and concentrated on this game,” he said.
“But we didn’t play alone. We played against a Chippa United side that deserved this point because they fought.”
Amakhosi fielded a new central pairing in Edmilson Dove and Zitha Macheke, stepping in as Inacio Miguel and Rushwin Dortley remain sidelined, still nursing their way back from injury.
Despite their lack of consistency in backing up results, Nabi will be pleased, though, that his side managed to secure a rare clean sheet, especially considering that they had a new pairing in two crucial central defensive positions.
“We were unlucky to get injuries in the same line of defence.
“But as Kaizer Chiefs, we play as a group, and next week some players will be back.
“We will make sure that everyone is ready to play.”
