Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has voiced his frustration following his team’s uninspired performance in their goalless draw against Chippa United, questioning the players’ mentality and preparedness for the challenge.
The result serves as a significant setback for Amakhosi’s aspirations of securing a top half finish in the Betway Premiership. With just 31 points from 25 matches, Chiefs remain in eighth place—but their position is far from secure.
Several teams below them are within striking distance, and any further slip-ups could see them fall out of the top half of the standings.
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Nabi did not mince his words when assessing the match, expressing disappointment at what he perceived as a lack of urgency and determination from his squad.
In contrast, Chippa United approached the fixture with hunger and resilience, making life difficult for Chiefs and ultimately walking away with a hard-earned point.
“Mentally, I think Chippa were better prepared than us. The way they fought, the way they challenged, they looked like they wanted it more,” Nabi told SuperSport TV post-match.
“In football, if you’re not ready, you lose structure, you lose performance, and that’s exactly what happened today.”
The Tunisian coach admitted that his team had spent the week leading up to the game talking about focus and readiness, but felt that message didn’t translate onto the pitch.
“We worked all week on being mentally sharp and focused, but when it mattered, we didn’t show up with the right mindset.”
Nabi also voiced his irritation with players repeating basic errors.
“A smart player learns from a mistake and doesn’t repeat it. If we don’t give 100 percent and approach every game with the right mentality, we won’t get results.”
With four games remaining in their Betway Premiership campaign, Chiefs will look to bounce back when they host Marumo Gallants at FNB Stadium this weekend. Kick off this weekend is set for 15h00 on Saturday, 26 April 2025.