Kaizer Chiefs’ Nasreddine Nabi says finishing need urgent attention, as per FARPost.
After clinching the Cufa Cup through a nail-biting penalty shootout against Marumo Gallants, Nasreddine Nabi has pinpointed critical areas for Kaizer Chiefs to improve. Despite the triumph, the Tunisian coach expressed clear concerns about the team’s overall performance.
The goalless draw in regulation time highlighted Kaizer Chiefs’ struggles with finishing. “It was a very intense game; it was an excellent thing [winning the Cufa Cup], but we created many chances,” Nabi stated in an interview with SABC Sport. He referenced the recent 2-1 loss to reigning champions Sundowns, emphasising, “They also created a lot of opportunities” but failed to convert. This inconsistency in scoring poses a significant challenge for the team moving forward.
Bvuma shines as penalty hero
In the decisive penalty shootout, goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma emerged as a standout player, making two crucial saves that secured the trophy for Amakhosi. Bvuma has made Nabi take notice and could start in the Carling Knockout, if called upon.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Maart, Reeve Frosler, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, and Inacio Miguel confidently converted their penalties. Under Nabi’s leadership, the team has played three official matches, winning two—against Gallants and AmaZulu while suffering a loss to Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1.
Nabi underscored the importance of fostering a winning mentality within the squad. “This is a big, big problem [missing scoring opportunities]. I want a winning mentality. There are no friendly games,” he stressed. He believes that even in practice, a positive and competitive attitude is essential. “If I lose, it’s a problem. I don’t sleep. I want this mentality,” he added, emphasising that every game matters.
Addressing inconsistency and momentum loss
The coach also voiced frustration over the team’s inconsistency during the match, which allowed Gallants to gain momentum. “We lose momentum in the game; we gave the other team the chance to gain control; this is unacceptable,” Nabi pointed out. This inconsistency could jeopardise their future performances, especially as they prepare for important matches.
Nabi identified the need to refine their penalty shootout strategy, particularly with a crucial Carling Knockout Cup clash against SuperSport United on the horizon. Chiefs want to remain unpredictable when we face former Amakhosi coach Gavin Hunt. Ensuring the team remains mentally prepared and tactically sharp will be vital for their success in upcoming challenges.
Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs’ Nasreddine Nabi pays attention to their finishing. And a winning mindset could be the key to elevating the team’s performance and achieving their goals this season.
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