Kaizer Chiefs head coach, Nasreddine Nabi, had nothing but praise for his squad after their 4-0 thrashing of SuperSport United in the first round of the Carling Knockout Cup. The match, played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, showcased the Glamour Boys’ dominance on the field, with Nabi especially pleased with the solid defensive efforts and attacking flair his team displayed.
Nabi acknowledged the stellar performance of goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, who kept a clean sheet and made crucial saves to maintain the team’s lead. “It was a very good victory. Generally, it was a good performance from everyone on the pitch, although we must also credit Fiacre (Ntwari) for making some important saves to prevent our opponent from getting back into the game. In those critical moments, he made the saves we needed,” said Nabi.
Gaston Sirino’s Impact Despite Fitness Concerns
One of the standout performers of the evening was Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Sirino. His goal and assist were pivotal in the Chiefs’ win, despite his lack of full fitness due to a recent injury. Nabi praised Sirino’s skill and determination, noting that once fully fit, fans could expect even more from the player.
“It is true that Sirino helped us today, and we thank him. He is still not at maximum physical fitness because he is just coming back from injury and hasn’t trained a lot in recent days, but even so, he showed character and the skill to make the difference,” the coach remarked. He further highlighted how Sirino’s experience offers a learning opportunity for younger players within the team.
Focus on Young Players
Nabi is optimistic about the future of Kaizer Chiefs, particularly when it comes to the younger players. He praised Samkelo Zwane for his midfield prowess, alongside the exciting performances from Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, and Mfundo Vilakazi. These rising stars have breathed new life into the team, with Nabi viewing their development as crucial for the club’s future success.
“Zwane has grown a lot since we have been working with him over the past few months. He has improved his concentration and tactical awareness a lot. He is still young, and games like this are important for his development. It is not just him; the same goes for the likes of Shabalala, Vilakazi, and Duba,” Nabi said. “These players represent a capital investment for the Club. We need to show our young players that there is a path to the first team if they prove themselves.”
A Special Night for Dr. Motaung’s 80th Birthday
Nabi also touched on the emotional importance of the victory, as the team was determined to honour the club’s founder, Dr Kaizer Motaung, who celebrated his 80th birthday that week. The players delivered a strong performance in his honour, displaying focus and determination even in critical moments.
“We all know that this week was the 80th birthday of our chairman Dr Motaung and we wanted to offer a good performance to him because he has sacrificed a lot for this club,” Nabi noted.
Ranga Chivaviro’s Redemption and Fan Support
Striker Ranga Chivaviro, who had missed several chances earlier in the game, was seen in conversation with Nabi after scoring the team’s third goal. Despite fan frustration and calls for his substitution, Nabi chose to keep him on the field, showing faith in his abilities.
“The responsibility of a coach is to protect the players, especially when they go through some difficult moments. We can’t have emotional reactions like the fans; that’s why we didn’t want to replace him when he missed those chances. I told him to keep his focus and he will score. He was very happy that the trust the team put in him paid off,” Nabi explained.
Building Towards a Brighter Future
While Nabi was pleased with the result, he reminded fans that the team is still in a transition period. He emphasised the importance of continuing to get positive results even as they build towards a long-term strategy. Nabi also recognised the tremendous support from Amakhosi fans, saying it was crucial to the team’s morale.
“I am pleased the fans have been happy with the results so far but I believe we are very far from what we want to build because we are in a period of transition and it will take time. However, even while we are building, we still need to get results to keep going forward,” Nabi stated.
With the right combination of youth, experience, and fan support, Kaizer Chiefs appears to be on a promising path. The victory over SuperSport United is only the beginning, as Nabi and his team look to bring more success to the club.
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