Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has shed light on the half-time conversation that motivated striker Ranga Chivaviro to secure a goal in their 4-0 victory over SuperSport United in the Carling Knockout Cup.
The former Marumo Gallants striker had earlier missed two clear-cut chances in the first-half at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday evening.
He finally got on the scoresheet in the second-half as Chiefs booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, Nabi revealed that he promised Chivaviro that he would eventually get a goal.
“Sometimes, a striker loses easy [chances], but this is football. I don’t need an emotional reaction like the fans. My responsibility is to protect my players. I pushed him, and I promised him that he would score. Thank you, Allah, he scored,” Nabi said.
HOW NABI MADE TACTICAL ADJUSTMENTS
Nabi explained that the team struggled to find rhythm in the first half due to the opposition’s tactical approach.
“We were not very good in the first half; we had to make tactical adjustments in the second half. But it’s a Cup game, and you need just to win it. It seems like they did their homework for this game,” he said.
“We had difficulties with our build-up in the first half. They put pressure on our two holding midfielders, who usually are the ones who give us the link between the defence and attacking players.”
To address the issue, Nabi made tactical adjustments during the break, encouraging his players to utilise the wider areas of the pitch.
“We had to make tactical adjustments in the second half. Instead of going through the middle, we used the wide areas, which were a little bit open.”
The coach also revealed that he emphasised the importance of winning before the match to honour the club’s chairman on his recent birthday. “Before the game we spoke to the players and showed them how important is the victory of today for our chairman’s birthday a few days ago.
“He [Dr Kaizer Motaung] has given so much to this club with sacrifices, and we wanted the players and staff to honour our chairman. We wish him a very long life of health and success.”
Nabi concluded by expressing his happiness for his second assistant, Cedric Kaze, who recently joined Chiefs from Yanga SC.
“I present to you my friend and brother, my second assistant, Mr Kaze. I’m sure he will give too much to Kaizer Chiefs with his skills and experience. I’m very happy for his coming.”
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