Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasradine Nabi praised his players for their resolve in securing a victory, even while down to 10 men. He also commented on the disparity in quality between his current squad and past Amakhosi teams.
Chiefs bounced back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership with a 2-1 win over Richards Bay at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday, despite having a player less in the second half.
Goals from Wandile Duba and Ashley Du Preez in the early stages of the second half secured all three points, lifting Chiefs to sixth place in the league standings.
In a post-match interview with SuperSport TV, the Chiefs manager acknowledged that, while they celebrated a win, the performance did not fully align with the team’s high standards.
“It’s not only about winning; our process must be effective. This is Kaizer Chiefs. Our goals are ambitious. Mentally, yes, it feels rewarding,” Nabi remarked.
Despite netting two times, the Glamour Boys struggled to maintain match control, experiencing only brief spells of possession.
The Tunisian coach expressed worries about the team’s inconsistency, drawing comparisons between the current players and celebrated legends like Doctor Khumalo and Siphiwe Tshabalala.
“There are positive flashes in the game, but we lack consistency. We must improve our performance in the final third. Securing three points is crucial for the club, yet playing a half with 10 men is mentally exhausting. It’s gratifying, but the process isn’t up to par. This is Kaizer Chiefs – think of the standards we had with Tshabalala and Doctor Khumalo; that’s the level we aspire to achieve,” reflected the former Young Africans coach.
In the match against the Natal Rich Boys, the Soweto giants had 18 attempts on goal, with just five hitting the target and two finding the net.
Converting chances has been an ongoing challenge for Chiefs since the start of the season, leading to considerable frustration.
The Chiefs coach acknowledged this persistent issue, attributing it to various factors, including a lack of confidence among strikers, present not only in the Chiefs squad but across the league.
“This is a major concern for our team, extending beyond just this match. Teams are creating abundant opportunities without converting, likely due to a lack of confidence or focus among strikers. Nevertheless, we are committed to improving our principles as we progress,” he stated.
Following their home victory and entering a busy period after a lengthy international break, Amakhosi will now gear up for another match against a KwaZulu-Natal side, as they host Royal AM this Saturday.
