Coach fumes as Kaizer Chiefs top-eight hopes hang by a thread.
Chiefs’ frustrating 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy has left Nasreddine Nabi visibly fed up with his team’s consistent inability to finish chances. After firing numerous shots but netting only once, the Soweto giants extended their winless streak to four Betway Premiership matches, two losses followed by two draws.
Saturday night at the New Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane saw Amakhosi dominate early, registering all five of their on-target shots in the first half. Despite taking the lead through rising talent Wandile Duba, Kaizer Chiefs failed to maintain their momentum. Mlungisi Mbunjana punished the lack of killer instinct by scoring a late equalizer for TS Galaxy.
Nabi couldn’t hide his frustration in the post-match interview.
“The opportunities that we got were due to our pressing, our timing, because it is something that we worked on, the defending of the opponents,” he said, as quoted by FARPost.
“But I’m tired of repeating myself every day about the opportunities that we are missing.”
Chiefs top-eight dreams fading fast
The draw leaves Chiefs clinging to eighth place with 29 points, a single point ahead of ninth-placed Chippa United, who still have two games in hand. A top-eight finish is essential for salvaging their league campaign and qualifying for the MTN8 competition.
Last season, Chiefs finished tenth. If results don’t turn quickly, they risk sliding further, potentially missing out on continental qualification once again. The only silver lining? They trail third-placed TS Galaxy by just six points, a position that guarantees a CAF Confederation Cup spot.
Nedbank Cup: Last hope for silverware
With their league form stumbling, the Nedbank Cup offers Chiefs their best shot at ending a painful trophy drought. But their semifinal challenge is a massive one — Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning juggernauts who have already defeated Amakhosi three times this season.
The clash takes place on Sunday, 13 April, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Nabi knows the stakes have never been higher.
“We feel that we should have been able to score more than one goal, but we gave Galaxy the chance to stay alive,” he said.
“We knew that they were good with set pieces and we made changes [substitutions] to put some height, but unfortunately we conceded a goal from a corner.”
Time running out for Nabi’s project
Nabi’s first season at Chiefs has become a balancing act between rebuilding a competitive squad and securing crucial results. While his tactical structure has created chances, the final product continues to let the team down.
If Amakhosi can’t rediscover their scoring touch, and fast, Nabi’s debut season may end without silverware and outside the top eight. Chiefs’ loyal supporters demand better, and time is running out.
Will Nasreddine Nabi see another season at Naturena?
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