Coach Nasreddine Nabi was appointed to end Kaizer Chiefs‘ trophy drought and help in rebuilding the Glamour Boys' team.
They have struggled to deliver in the Premier Soccer League and have almost non-existent chances of winning it. They were also eliminated from the Carling Knockout by Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-final stage.
The Glamour Boys have a massive chance to end their drought by winning the Nedbank Cup. On Sunday, they will be at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, playing Masandawana. Will Nabi seize the opportunity and eliminate the Brazilians, ultimately winning the competition?
Nabi has so far failed against big teams
Orlando Pirates and Sundowns are so far the biggest team in Mzansi, with the Glamour Boys struggling to get back to the top. How has Nabi fared against them?
Chiefs have played Sundowns three times this season: twice in the Premier Soccer League and in the Cup competition. They have lost all three matches, conceding seven goals and scoring just one in the process.
In the Soweto Derby, Amakhosi lost against their old rivals Orlando Pirates, by a solitary goal in the league fixture played in February.
Nabi is under pressure to get it right this weekend against Masandawana.
The strengthening of squad
Prior to the beginning of the ongoing campaign, Nabi made seven crucial signings to bolster the team.
Among the players who joined Amakhosi are Gaston Sirino and Inacio Miguel, who have massive experience and no stage-fright. In the January transfer window, Thabo Cele, Tashreeq Morris, and Glody Lilepo were added.
The players have taken time to gel, but they have shown their quality. In the last outing, the Brazilians struggled to beat Amakhosi, eventually getting a narrow 1-0 win. The new players have another opportunity to underline their quality, but Nabi must get his squad right.
Changing Mentality
Despite the struggles at the club, players and a section of fans have conceded that the mentality is changing. Wandile Duba, Thabo Cele, and Bruce Bvuma are some of the players who have publicly admitted they are stronger than last season.
The game against Sundowns is another test of character, but with the players ready to prove their mental strength, who knows, they might go all the way.
The Sundowns jinx must be broken
Imagine failing to beat the same team in 12 attempts across all competitions! Now, that is the Kaizer Chiefs story against Mamelodi Sundowns, which is hurting not only the players but their supporters as well.
The last time the Glamour Boys beat the Brazilians was on April 25, 2021. Coach Nabi and the current crop of players would love to break the jinx, and Sunday gives them that chance. If they make the final, their confidence will be high, and who knows, it might be what they need to spark their journey to the top.
A win for his future
There are rumours a defeat on Sunday might lead to the firing of coach Nabi since some stakeholders have already given up on him.
That is enough motivation for the players and the technical team to fight for their coach, and show they are ready to walk the path of reformation together. So a win on the pitch, might be Nabi’s win in the boardroom.
