You could be forgiven for not knowing Nasreddine Nabi had just won his first piece of silverware as Kaizer Chiefs coach over the weekend, judging by his post-match comments on Sunday.
Chiefs beat Marumo Gallants 4-3 on penalties to win the Cultural Urban Festival Africa (Cufa) Cup in Bloemfontein.
Bruce Bvuma was the hero for Chiefs as he saved two penalties to hand the Soweto Giants the trophy.
However, the sides ended goalless after 90 minutes and Nabi intimated he was not pleased with his side’s finishing.
We lift the trophy and immediately head straight home!!
— El Capitano⚪ (@_izodlalaiTv) October 14, 2024
We have a cup game to prepare for. Even the players are not getting carried away by average output.
The direction is clear under Nasreddine Nabi. Only the best is good enough❤️✌🏾
CUFA CUP Champions saving energy to… pic.twitter.com/kym9O3XpgJ
‘Big, big problem’
“It was a very intense game, it was an excellent thing [winning a trophy], but we created a lot of chances,” Nabi said on SABC1 after the game.
“Just like against Sundowns, we also created a lot of opportunities. This is a big, big problem [that we’re missing chances].”
The Mamelodi Sundowns game Nabi was referencing, was the Betway Premiership encounter on September 28. It was his team’s first loss of the new league campaign.
The Cufa Cup, though, is not exactly a marquee tournament in SA football, it can infact be considered a friendly match. Nabi, though, said he had high expectations of his side whenever they stepped onto the pitch.
“I want a winning mentality. There are no friendly games. In friendly games, you need a positive attitude, a winning attitude. In exercises in training I want to win,” said Nabi.
“If I lose, it’s problem. I don’t sleep. I want this mentality.
“We lose momentum in the game, we gave the other team the chance to gain control, this is unacceptable.”
Chiefs are next in action in the Telkom Knockout against SuperSport United on Saturday, and Broos did not appear happy with his side’s preparation for that clash either.
“Secondly, we play cup against SuperSport, this is a very bad repetition. Maybe the SuperSport coach was watching and if we reach penalties again I need to change takers.”