sportskeeda
Kaizer Chiefs’ head coach Nasradine Nabi commended his players for their determination in achieving a victory even after going down to 10 men, while also highlighting the gap in quality between his current team and some of the previous Amakhosi line-ups.
Chiefs returned to winning form in the Betway Premiership, overcoming Richards Bay 2-1 at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday, despite being a player down in the second half.
Goals from Wandile Duba and Ashley Du Preez early in the second half secured the vital three points, propelling Chiefs to sixth place in the league standings.
In a post-match interview with SuperSport TV, the Chiefs manager reiterated that while they achieved the win, Wednesday’s performance did not fully meet the club’s high aspirations.
“It’s not merely about winning; the process must be satisfactory. This is Kaizer Chiefs. Our goals are set high. Mentally, yes, it feels uplifting,” Nabi stated.
Even though the Glamour Boys scored twice, they found it difficult to control the match, experiencing only fleeting moments of possession.
The Tunisian coach expressed his worries regarding the team’s inconsistency, comparing the current players to renowned legends like Doctor Khumalo and Siphiwe Tshabalala.
“There are positives in the game, but we need to improve our consistency. In the final third, we require further development. While the three points are advantageous for the club, playing a half with 10 players poses a mental challenge. It feels gratifying, but the process is not up to par. This is Kaizer Chiefs – think about the caliber we had with Tshabalala and Doctor Khumalo; that’s the standard we aspire to,” reflected the former Young Africans coach.
In their encounter against the Natal Rich Boys, the Soweto giants registered 18 attempts on goal, with just five on target and two finding the back of the net.
The issue of converting scoring chances has been a persistent problem for Chiefs since the beginning of the season, leading to frustration.
The Chiefs coach recognized this ongoing difficulty, pointing to various factors, including a lack of confidence among strikers, a challenge that extends beyond just the Chiefs roster to the entire league.
“Indeed, this poses a significant concern for our team, transcending this match alone. Teams are generating plenty of chances without scoring, possibly due to strikers’ confidence or concentration. Nonetheless, we are dedicated to enhancing our strategies moving ahead.”
Following their home victory and entering a busy phase of the season after a lengthy international break, Amakhosi will now set their sights on another showdown against a KwaZulu-Natal side as they prepare to host Royal AM this Saturday.
