Kaizer Chiefs had a secret, but now it’s out. Let’s delve in and find out.
Amakhosi pulled off a sensational 2-1 comeback win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday evening. However, the victory came at a cost few realized. Head coach Nasreddine Nabi revealed that key players powered through serious injuries to help Chiefs book their spot in the final against Orlando Pirates on May 10 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Injuries couldn’t stop Chiefs fight
Despite being without defensive stalwarts Rushwin Dortley and Inacio Miguel, Chiefs showed remarkable resilience. Coach Nabi fielded Edmilson Dove as a left-sided centre-back alongside Given Msimango — even though Dove was not fully fit. Thabo Cele, too, played through injury to help secure the win.
“Maybe before the game, we don’t discuss injured players, but maybe now it’s time… before this game we lost Miguel. We were unlucky between Dove and Zitha (Kwinika). All of them they get injury also. Let me say Dove played today with injury. Zitha was also on the bench with injury,” Nabi explained, through his interpreter and assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef.
He continued, “Also, Thabo Cele got injury. All of them they played with injury today. When you see the performance of our players today, you can understand how much they love this team and how much they deserve to be in this team. We did it for the fans to make them happy and to make them proud of us.”
Nabi reveals the guts behind the glory
Nabi didn’t hide his appreciation for his squad’s fighting spirit. With multiple players carrying knocks, Chiefs still managed to outwork and outplay a dominant Sundowns side in one of the season’s most dramatic matches.
The medical team received special praise for making Dove and Kwinika available despite their injuries. Their dedication ensured the team had enough senior players to fill the starting line up, and it paid off handsomely.
Young stars waiting in the wings
Nabi also revealed that had the medical staff failed to clear Dove or Kwinika in time, rising youngster Aden McCarthy would have made his long-awaited first-team debut.
“There is a lot of young players, but we (are) waiting for the right time to put them. Aiden McCarthy, even today, was 90 percent to start this game. He was a starter, but I have to say thank you to the medical staff. They prepared for us Dove and Zitha,” said Nabi.
McCarthy’s time may come soon, but for now, the spotlight belongs to the battle-hardened veterans who pushed through the pain for the badge.
This unforgettable performance not only secured Chiefs a place in the final. It reminded supporters what true commitment looks like.
Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs had a secret against Sundowns.
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