Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Samkelo Zwane has revealed the reaction from his teammates and coach Nasreddine Nabi’s stern message after their 4-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Prior to that defeat, Chiefs had put up an encouraging fight in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Sundowns in the Betway Premiership.
However, the defending South African champions completely dominated the Carling Knockout Cup match, beating Amakhosi emphatically at a sold-out FNB Stadium in Soweto.
Naturally, curiosity arose about Nabi’s post-match message to his players. Zwane has now revealed the stern words delivered by the former Young Africans and AS FAR mentor.
“Everyone is aware that we didn’t play to the best of our abilities; it was a tough one to take,” Zwane told FARPost. “But the result in itself is a motivator, like a switch. It was more of ‘let’s go again, let’s try again’.
“It was more like a wake-up call. Maybe it was something that we needed. Maybe we were going to get complacent.”
SAMKELO ZWANE REVEALS WHAT NASREDDINE NABI SAID TO CHIEFS PLAYERS
The 22-year-old revealed the coach’s message after that defeat. “The coach spoke to us [after the game]. He said there has to be a reaction now; we need to show character. It’s the time to show character.”
Meanwhile, the Amakhosi academy graduate expressed his delight at winning the recent Home of Legends Cup. The tournament, while considered a friendly, was treated with utmost seriousness by the Amakhosi squad.
Chiefs beat Golden Arrows 2-0 before a goalless draw in the final against Sundowns led to a penalty shootout. Amakhosi won the shootout, lifting the four-team tournament’s trophy.
“For us, it’s like a confidence booster,” Zwane added. “The coaches also made it clear that it’s not a friendly match. It’s a friendly game on paper, but to us, it’s not a friendly game. We used it as preparation, and, as such, we had to take it seriously. It’s just a motivator and a small taste of what can happen in the future.”
The young midfielder’s comments underscore the team’s mindset under Nabi. Despite the friendly nature of the tournament, Amakhosi approached it with a competitive spirit, viewing it as an opportunity to prepare for their next league game. Chiefs host Richards Bay at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 27 November.
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