Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has apologised following his team’s loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday evening.
Amakhosi were dumped out of the Carling Knockout following a 4-0 quarter-final defeat at FNB Stadium. During the match, a Chiefs fan invaded the pitch and tried to attack the match official after Downs scored their first goal.
Nabi says Chiefs were not good against Sundowns
“I would like to apologise to our fans, because we were not good, in any way, defensively and in both boxes,” said Nabi as per SuperSport.
“It was a day without any chances and for that we apologise to our fans that are disappointed after the result, but we can promise them that we are going to work harder to make the team better, to improve the team. We knew that the team was not as ready as people would think, but this result was an accident that we believe will not happen again in the future.”
Nabi admitted Chiefs players are just not good enough. Amakhosi have already lost twice to Masandawana this campaign.
“The players were not good enough, but the responsibility is mine. As coach, I’m going to take full responsibility for the game, because I don’t want to criticise my players in front of media, but I will do it inside the change room.
“Everyone will take his responsibility and but I believe that it’s true that they were far from their best performance, because even at the beginning of the game, they looked very nervous, with a lot of missed passes, a lot of balls lost and so on,” he added.
Despite Nabi starting his tenure with two wins in a row, Chiefs are now winless in three matches. Against Sundowns, Amakhosi chased shadows and looked like a shadow of a team that won their first two league matches.
“Sundowns is a very good team with a lot of experience, but we believe that our players learn when they play against teams like this. Sometimes they make mistakes, but it doesn’t make sense when you play against such a big club and in such a big atmosphere, then to be scared and to try to play a game that you’re not used to,” Nabi added.
“It’s with these kind of games, these kind of performances, that the young players are going to learn and are going to improve. We have chosen the way to play, based on the players that we have and to use their technical abilities. They are young, but they are skilful,” he continued.
“Another thing is those young players need experienced players to help them to grow, and that is an area that we need to work on in the future.”
Nabi has three weeks to try to turn Chiefs’ fortunes around. The Soweto giants are eighth in the Betway Premiership after four matches played.
Can Nabi turn the ship around?
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