Nasreddine Nabi takes positives from Kaizer Chiefs’ friendly match defeat

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says he was happy with his side’s performance in their 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Vitesse Arnhem.

Amakhosi are currently in the Netherlands where they have four remaining friendly games, with NEC Nijmegen, PEC Zwolle and FC Twente.

The Betway Premiership side took a 37th minute at the RKSV Driel Stadion through a Reeve Frosler thunderbolt.

But the Dutch second tier side fought back and were on level terms following an own goal from Dillan Solomons in the 47th minute.

Andy Visser then sealed the win with his strike in the 74th minute of the match.

Reflecting on the result, Nabi explained that his team are using the matches to prepare for the new season and are not focused on results, as he fielded two separate teams in either half.

Nabi told the club’s website: “It’s all about the objective we have set out for our pre-season.

“We trained very hard the last few days, which was very tough for the players physically. So, I am not really worried about the result of this pre-season training match.

“It’s more about seeing all the players in action and trying out different formations.

“We controlled the game in the first half and could even perhaps have scored one or two more goals.”

When quizzed on the aggressive approach of their opponents, Nabi added that he felt Vitesse were somewhat overzealous during the tie. 

“Too aggressively, I felt. However, that was also a good lesson for our players – how to deal with this kind of aggressive display from an opponent,” he explained.

“Overall, I am happy with what I saw tonight.”