Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi believes the Nedbank Cup gives his team an opportunity to play continental football next season.
Chiefs sealed a place in the Nedbank Cup final on Sunday, a first since 2019, following a 2-1 comeback win over Mamelodi Sundowns.
Teboho Mokoena gave Sundowns the lead on the stroke of halftime before Wandile Duba levelled in the 57th minute while Ashley Du Preez stole it at the death for Chiefs, who have now set up a Soweto Derby final as they will play Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10.
Nabi has credited his players’ great mentality for the win after they executed his gameplan.
Nabi lauds players’ mentality
“It was very difficult for us in the last three weeks, you know our situation in the league. They suffered to win this game, physically, they ran a lot and did everything,” said Nabi.
“I say congratulations to our players, they made everything great today, 100 percent and I want to say congratulations because this qualification [to the final] is coming from the technical staff, the players, board and our fans.
“Our fans believe in us even when we are in a bad situation, they are always behind us, full stadium. They believe in us and give us a lot of responsibility to analyse the team and make them happy.”
Nabi, whose team are stuck in eighth position on the PSL table, feels the Nedbank Cup could be their avenue to continental football as they will qualify for CAF Confederation Cup next season if they win it.
Can Chiefs steal CAF slot via Nedbank Cup?
“The plan of the game was how we managed the first half, we knew that physically Sundowns cannot resist in the second half. We were sticking just for the first 45 minutes then change the game in the second half,” he added.
“We were unlucky to concede. In the second half, we said this final is for us, we have to believe. We deserved to be in the final and we were more than sure that we will win this game.
“I am happy this win today, it gives us the possibility to play CAF next season. We won two things today, first, we are in the final, we beat Sundowns one of the best teams in South Africa and Africa and also CAF.”
Victory saw Chiefs end a run of four matches without a win, having drawn two and lost as many, all in the league, prior to Sunday’s match.
