Latest news with #Nabi
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs' Nabi hits back at pre-season criticism
Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is preparing the club for their opening Betway Premiership clash next weekend when they face Stellenbosch. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi remains calm despite his side's underwhelming pre-season campaign, insisting that friendly matches are strictly for preparation and not a cause for panic. Amakhosi lost 3-2 on penalties to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko in the second edition of the Toyota Cup on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium — a result that left many questioning the Soweto giants' readiness for the new season. Chiefs have won just once in six pre-season outings, a run that includes a tough four-game tour of The Netherlands. But ahead of their Betway Premiership opener against Stellenbosch FC on August 10, Nabi maintains the results are irrelevant at this stage. 'We are in pre-season, and the objectives of this pre-season are detailed and pre-determined,' Nabi said when asked about the worrying results. 'The objective of this game is not the result. I understand why you are asking the question, but the objective of this friendly was not the result on the scoreboard.' Another concern for Amakhosi fans is the team's poor goal return. In six matches, Chiefs have only found the net three times — an issue that's prompted concerns about the effectiveness of their attacking setup heading into the new campaign. This has been a cloud that has hovered over Chiefs since last season having been in the top three of highest chances created in the league but failed to make them count. But the Tunisian coach was quick to put things into context, particularly when reflecting on their European tour. 'In The Netherlands, we weren't given much time between the games, and we also played against four clubs from that country's premier division,' he said. 'This is pre-season, so we are still finding our way and preparing for the season, and results after 90 minutes do not matter for now.' The former Young Africans mentor believes the team is showing clear signs of growth, especially when compared to last year's squad that also took part in the Toyota Cup — a fixture Chiefs are using to reintroduce themselves to continental-style opponents ahead of their CAF return. 'This is the second Toyota Cup we have participated in, and compared to last year's match against Young Africans, our team has improved a lot,' said Nabi. 'There may be a few areas of weakness and where we need to work on, but there has been progress. Of course, we would have loved to win this friendly, but I believe we are heading in the right direction.' Nabi has now used the bulk of his squad over the pre-season and feels that while some issues still need ironing out, the foundation has been laid for a competitive 2025/26 campaign. The Toyota Cup once again served its purpose — not just as a test against continental competition, but as a platform to give Nabi a clearer sense of the tools at his disposal. And with the real business kicking off against Stellies, Chiefs will be hoping that preparation now translates into performance.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Nabi sees positives despite Chiefs' fifth loss in six friendlies against Kotoko
Nasreddine Nabi's post-match press conference after Kaizer Chiefs lost yet another preseason game lasted a little over 15 minutes, but it was dominated by one question, which he sought to answer via a translator, then offered his broken English in an attempt at a clearer explanation. Chiefs' 2-3 penalty-shoot-out defeat against Ghana's Asante Kotoko in the annual Toyota Cup at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday was their fifth loss in six friendlies this preseason. To be fair to Nabi, it was largely an unmerited loss, with Amakhosi spurning a chance to win it with five minutes to go when Inácio Miguel sent his penalty wide and then Pule Mmodi's effort being saved when a conversion would have guaranteed victory in the shoot-out. But as his inquisitors reminded him in that presser, Saturday's result was yet another defeat, which doesn't seem to bode well for Chiefs' prospects when they kick off the new season next weekend.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Nabi breaks silence after Toyota Cup defeat
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has broken his silence following the club's narrow Toyota Cup defeat to Asante Kotoko, offering an optimistic reflection just two weeks before their Betway Premiership opener. The Glamour Boys failed to lift the Toyota Cup for a second consecutive year after falling short in a tense penalty shootout at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Yet, despite the result, Nabi insists the match provided crucial insight into his squad's progress. 'I think it was a game that was a lot of instructive with the performance we came up with a lot of answers with what we have been doing and what we need to do going forward. And as well I think it was a perfect performance overall,' Nabi told SABC Sport . Chiefs created opportunities to seal the victory both during regular time and in the shootout, but failed to capitalise. 'We had the opportunity to win the game during the game, but we missed it. We had the opportunity to win the game during the penalties, we missed it,' Nabi admitted. The Tunisian coach acknowledged the disappointment of ending pre-season without silverware but emphasised the unpredictability of penalty shootouts. 'Unfortunately, we wanted to finish (the pre-season) by offering our supporters the victory and finish the game with joy but unfortunately on penalties it's unpredictable.' With the new campaign fast approaching, Nabi stressed the importance of the fixture in assessing both strengths and shortcomings. 'Yes, I think it's very positive and in the right direction for the physical work,' he said. 'Maybe now we start the last step in the pre-season.' He also highlighted the match's value in pinpointing areas for improvement. 'You know, the negative parts what are the negative parts but for us this game is very important for us to look where is the problem honestly where is the quality and to push to have the quality and to correct the negative part. But probably I have satisfaction for such performance honestly.' While the result might concern some fans, Nabi's measured tone suggests he's focused on long-term progress rather than short-term trophies. The real test comes in two weeks when Chiefs kick off their Betway Premiership campaign. And Nabi seems quietly confident his side will rise to the occasion. What kind of season will Kaizer Chiefs have? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs confirm new captain as Nabi makes leadership call
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has officially confirmed Inácio Miguel as the club's new captain, following the departure of Yusuf Maart earlier this month. Maart, who led Amakhosi to their long-awaited 2025 Nedbank Cup triumph by scoring the decisive goal against Orlando Pirates, has completed a move to SV Ried in Austria's Bundesliga. The midfielder joined Chiefs at the beginning of the 2022/2023 season from Sekhukhune United, and now ends his journey in Soweto after three impactful years. Miguel, the dependable Angolan defender, wore the armband during the recent Toyota Cup clash against Asante Kotoko, where Chiefs narrowly lost 3-2 on penalties at Moses Mabhida Stadium. He also led the team throughout their pre-season tour in the Netherlands. 'Today [Saturday], Miguel [was a captain]. He will captain the team for the upcoming season,' Nabi confirmed as quoted by FARPost . Marking a fresh leadership era for the Glamour Boys. Despite the shootout loss to Asante Kotoko, Nabi praised the team's progress, expressing confidence in their readiness for the new season. 'I'm very satisfied with what I saw in the game. It allowed us to see where we are right now,' he said, underlining the importance of pre-season preparation. Although Chiefs created late chances to seal the match in regular time, they failed to convert. Which Nabi acknowledged with frustration but also perspective. 'We could have won the match in the last ten minutes. Unfortunately, we didn't, and that's how it is,' he added. 'We're going to take advantage of those two weeks to improve what has not been positive enough and to coach more on what has been positive.' With Miguel now confirmed as captain, attention turns to the start of the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership campaign. Where Kaizer Chiefs face a stern opening challenge away to Stellenbosch FC. Will Miguel be a good captain at Kaizer Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs: Nabi reacts to another pre-season defeat
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has reacted after his side suffered a 3-2 defeat to Asante Kotoko in a penalty shootout of the Toyota Cup on Saturday. The pre-season match, played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, finished 0-0 after 90 minutes and penalties were needed to separate the two sides. Amakhosi were the better team overall but failed to take their chances. In the 82nd minute, captain Miguel Inacio missed a penalty after Mduduzi Shabalala was brought down in the penalty box. 'I think it was a game that was very instructive… with the performance, we came with a lot of answers with what we have been working on and what we need to do going forward, it was a positive performance overall,' Nabi told SABC Sport. 'We had the opportunity to win the game, during the game, we missed it. We had the opportunity to win the game on penalties, we missed it – unfortunately we wanted to finish with offering our supporters, the victory and finish the day with joy. But unfortunately on penalties it can be unpredictable.' Nabi feels Kaizer Chiefs can still improve with two weeks left before the Betway Premiership kicks off. 'The support was very positive, we're going into the right direction from the physical side, but we need… we're in the last week of pre-season, we know the negative points, for this game was very important for us to see that,' he added. 'Where the problems are, where the quality is and we'll push to improve the quality and correct the negatives. But I have satisfaction for some points today,' he concluded. Kaizer Chiefs have already signed six players ahead of the new season but Nabi hinted more players might come in before the transfer window closes. Who impressed you the most at Chiefs. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
