Kaizer Chiefs Coach Nabi Responds To Sekhukhune United Loss In Betway Premiership

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says it’s too early to panic after the team lost their first Betway Premiership game of the season to Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.

Chiefs lost 3-1 at home as their five-game unbeaten start to the campaign came to a crushing end, having won four games and drawn one before the FIFA break.

Chiefs Haunted By Costly Defensive Errors

Amakhosi were their own worst enemy against Babina Noko, starting with Nabi. The Tunisia-born coach made questionable changes to his back four, including starting Aden McCarthy - who had been sidelined for some time due to injury - ahead of Zitha Kwinika, who had been rock-solid since stepping in for McCarthy.

That change, along with the absence of right-back Thabiso Monyane - who was replaced by Reeve Frosler after sustaining an injury on the eve of the game - didn’t help Chiefs, as they committed a series of defensive errors.

For the first goal, McCarthy and Paseka Mako went for the same ball, and after a flick-on, there was no defensive cover. For the second, Chiefs gave away possession in a critical area.

The third goal came from a long ball and a flick by Player of the Match Bradley Grobler, who showed his intelligence by setting up Thabang Monare. Monare had ample space to run at Brandon Petersen before slotting home.

“I would say we knew going into this game that it was a difficult match against a difficult opponent,” said Nabi post-match at the Calabash.

“But I feel we made a lot of mistakes that led to goals. Sekhukhune posed a lot of problems, especially in transition and with long balls that we couldn’t deal with.”

Still Early To Panic For Amakhosi

Nabi believes his players could have done more in front of goal to build on Flavio Silva’s equaliser - and his second successive goal for the club. But he insists it’s too early to be concerned about the setback.

“We were not good enough today, even in our offensive game,” Nabi explained. “We created some opportunities, but it wasn’t good enough to control the game or to take the lead. I don’t think there is any need to panic.

“We just need to learn from our mistakes and go into the next game with more conviction and concentration. Sekhukhune deserved the three points today.”

Chiefs Seek African Redemption

Chiefs now have to dust themselves off and return to winning ways as they begin their CAF Confederation Cup campaign in the first-round preliminary play-offs against Kabuscorp Sport Clube do Palanca at the 11 de Novembro Stadium in Angola on Saturday (5 PM kick-off).

“I spoke to the players and told them that an accident like today can happen. What matters now is the reaction,” said Nabi ahead of the continental clash.

“We need to keep our heads up and be ready for the next game. It’s a continental match, and it’s a knockout over two legs, so we need to approach it differently.

“We need to learn from the mistakes we made today and prepare ourselves better for the next match.”

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