Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi remains calm despite his team’s loss in the Toyota Cup friendly against Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko, reiterating that pre-season fixtures are strictly for preparation purposes—not results.
Speaking after the match at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, where Amakhosi were edged out on penalties, the coach downplayed concerns about the team’s lack of wins in pre-season, having secured just one victory out of six matches, including their recent European tour.
“We are in pre-season, and the objectives are already defined. The result of this friendly was not our priority,” Nabi said. “I understand why there’s focus on the scoreboard, but for us, this match was about preparation and getting players ready for the season ahead.”
Focus on Fitness and Tactics, Not Scorelines
The Tunisian-Belgian coach pointed to the demanding schedule during their trip to the Netherlands, where Chiefs faced top-flight Dutch opposition with limited recovery time between games. He argued that such circumstances are part of the preparation journey.
“In Holland, we had very little rest between matches, and we faced four Eredivisie teams. We are still in the phase of building our rhythm and refining our strategies. Match results after 90 minutes don’t tell the full story during pre-season.”
Goal-Scoring Concerns Not a Panic Signal
Chiefs’ goal tally, just three in six pre-season matches, has raised concerns among fans. However, Nabi urged supporters and the media not to panic, assuring them that improvements are already showing.
“Compared to our previous Toyota Cup performance against Young Africans, there’s been visible progress,” he said. “We’ve seen increased quality, and while we do have areas that need work, we are moving in the right direction.”
In a dramatic moment late in the match, newly appointed captain Inacio Miguel had a chance to seal the win for Chiefs from the penalty spot after Pule Mmodi was fouled—but he missed. The game eventually went to a shootout, which Kotoko won.
Despite the missed opportunity, Nabi remains optimistic.
“Of course, we’d always prefer to win, but our primary objective was met. These games are part of our bigger preparation plan, especially with CAF inter-club competitions returning this season.”
Eyes on the Season Opener
With the pre-season winding down, Kaizer Chiefs now turn their attention to their opening DStv Premiership clash against Stellenbosch FC. Nabi has used these friendlies to assess his squad thoroughly and believes his side is steadily progressing towards full readiness.
“We’ve seen most of the players in action, and there are encouraging signs,” he concluded. “We’re not perfect yet, but we’re building a team that can compete.”
As Chiefs gear up for a fresh campaign, Nabi’s message is clear: don’t judge the team by pre-season results—judge them by what they do when the real action begins.
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