Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has lost his fourth match in 11 Betway Premiership games this season.
NASREDDINE NABI PLEADS FOR BETTER PLAYERS
Following Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Cape Town City, coach Nabi emphasised the need for better-quality players in his Amakhosi squad. “It’s obvious when you look at the squad that we feel that there is a need to strengthen the team, but we don’t want to throw our players under the bus saying that they are not good,” Nabi said at the post-match press conference. “No, they are good. Today they are in our squad, they are in our team but every transfer window we will take the opportunity to try to strengthen the team.
“The club is working hard to find the best opportunities that are possible, and we hope that everything can improve our squad,” concluded Nabi.
CAPE TOWN CITY 1-0 KAIZER CHIEFS
In the meantime, Amakhosi have detailed the shock loss to the Citizens via the club’s official website.
“Kaizer Chiefs went down 1-0 to Cape Town City at the DHL Stadium in their first Betway Premiership match of 2025, despite having the upper hand for the majority of an entertaining clash in the Mother City on Sunday. Darwin Gonzalez took advantage of a rare breakaway to score the game’s only goal in the 51st minute, while Chiefs created numerous half-chances throughout the game but couldn’t make any of them count.
“Amakhosi were again quick out of the traps and Ashley Du Preez caused City ‘keeper, Darren Keet to save a looping shot with less than a minute gone. On 17 minutes, Christian Saile cut in menacingly from the left and pulled the ball back for Mduduzi Shabalala to strike and force a sharp save from Keet. A minute later, the same player fired just over the crossbar from long range.
“Much of Amakhosi’s build-up play was constructive and pleasing on the eye, although the final defence-splitting pass to create genuine scoring opportunities eluded them. Any Citizens attacks in transition were comfortably dealt with by the Chiefs back three and goalkeeper, Bruce Bvuma was not called upon during the opening half. Saile was involved again in the 42nd minute, shooting wide after recovering possession 25 yards out. Du Preez, who along with Wandile Duba, caused constant worry for Citizens left-back, Tshegofatso Nyama, created another half-chance in the 44th minute with a good square pass to Shabalala, who on target shot was blocked by a desperate Cape Town City defence, which was relieved to go into the changerooms at 0-0 when referee, Luxolo Badi, blew the halftime whistle after two minutes of added time.
“Amakhosi started the second half as strongly as they did in the first period but fell behind six minutes after played resumed. Committing too many players forward for a Yusuf Maart long throw in, Chiefs were caught out by a long clearance that left City with a 3-on1 advantage. Gonazalez carried the ball forward and held his nerve to beat Bvuma and put the hosts into the lead against the run of play.
“The Glamour Boys, now chasing the game, pressed forward and the ever-dangerous Shabalala came close when his shot was blocked by Thami Mkhize in the 57th minute. Du Preez suffered a similar fate after 64 minutes when Lorenzo Gordinho cleared his dangerous effort.
“Substitute, Mfundo Vilakazi brought a save from Keet with a direct free kick in the 72nd minute and Bradley Cross steered a far post shot wide following a corner. With time running out, Du Preez slipped behind the City defence to latch onto a Samkelo Zwane through ball, rounded Keet but was thwarted by a last-ditch block by Gordinho again. It was the last opportunity Chiefs had to level and the game ended with them unable to score the crucial goal that would have brought them, at least, a deserved point. Amakhosi remain in 7th place in the league standings, with 15 points from their 11 Betway Premiership outings.
“They face Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening before meeting Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban next Sunday, and will be determined to convert their overall superiority in goals, and thus, points,” concluded Kaizer Chiefs.
