Kaizer Chiefs head coach, Nasreddine Nabi, highlighted that the early injury to Tashreeq Morris during their 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday was a significant setback for his team.
Despite the early substitution, Nabi expressed optimism that Morris wouldn’t be sidelined for too long, estimating that the striker could be out for just six or seven days.
Mamelodi Sundowns secured the win through the only goal of the game, which came in the 41st minute, courtesy of a moment of brilliance by the current Betway Premiership top scorer, Lucas Ribiero Costa (who extended his streak to 12 goals).
During the tie, Chiefs were forced to adapt quickly after Morris was forced to leave the pitch in the 26th minute due to injury. Nabi noted that the loss of such a vital player meant a tactical shift was necessary, with Ashley Du Preez coming on in his place.
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“He’s out maybe six, seven days,” Nabi explained when speaking to journalists after the tie at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
“I would say that it hurt us a lot because it’s a striker that can give you a lot of things.
“He’s a good presser. He doesn’t give a lot of rest to the defenders. But after, when he came out, we saw that even the centre-backs were a little bit comfortable with the ball all the time.
“He’s as well, a nine classic that can give you, when you need you can play on him, he’s going to hold the ball, he’s going to give your team the time to go up to take positions to attack.
“And as well, he’s a player that, when you make all those crosses that were coming inside the box, he is someone who can finish it and who has a big presence, and it impacted a lot the plan of the game today.”
As a result of their defeat, Chiefs have dropped to eighth place in the league standings. It’s a swift turnaround for Nabi and his Kaizer Chiefs outfit, who have a midweek clash with a resurgent Magesi outfit at the FNB Stadium. Kick off in Soweto is set for 19:30 on Tuesday, 04 March 2025.