PIC: Nasreddine Nabi

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi will count on his experience when he leads his side in the Nedbank Cup final against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (kick-off 15h30).
Nabi has lost both league derbies against The Buccaneers this season, but knows a cup final is a different ball game and that the pressure of the occasion will be a great leveller.

“I have experience in finals,” said Nabi, who was a two-time winner of the Tanzanian Cup with Young Africans with back-to-back triumphs in 2022 and 2023.
“In finals, you need calmness and self-control. You shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the pressure. I know my approach, psychologically and tactically.”

Chiefs let an early lead slip as they lost 2-1 to Pirates in their league clash in Soweto on Saturday, but Nabi says that result is now behind them and the side will not be affected by any online negativity.

“I have morale. I believe in myself. I don’t have time to go on social media. But I see the messages there about me. I don’t worry,” he said.

“It’s normal for the fans to react like the way they did. I respect them. I am also not happy with the results. I know that they were affected by this result. I want to now speak to my supporters, thank you so much for supporting the team.”

Chiefs have not lifted silverware in 10 years, or won the Nedbank Cup since 2013, a record agonising wait for a club so used to success. Nabi knows this is a big chance to end that barren run. 

“The players know the responsibility that they have,” he said. “We don’t need to put excessive pressure on the players. If you go over the red line in terms of pressure on the players, then you have a problem because it becomes negative. You need to have a balance.

“Trust me, the players know what is at stake and they want to win – especially after losing the derby (on Saturday). This season hasn’t been easy for them. But what I saw at training impressed me, the desire to win and the aggression they showed is good.

“Maybe it will even be difficult to select the starting XI, because all the players wanted to give their 200%. Trust me, we are going to this final with a big, big morale.”

Nabi says that Saturday’s loss may serve as a motivator ahead of the Nedbank Cup final.

“Sometimes in life, when you have won, and you are in a comfortable place – this could have a negative impact on you because you are still thinking about the win,” he said.

“The players were disappointed after the game. All of them. In this moment, there is no room to blame anyone or be critical. You need to give them confidence, not just through talking but also with your actions.

“If you analyse how we lost, we lost because we didn’t take our chances early when we were on top.”