Manqoba Mngqithi hails Chiefs’ transformation under Nabi but…
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has hailed how Kaizer Chiefs has transformed under Nasreddine Nabi, but feels they lack one element.
Chiefs started the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season positively, spurred by coach Nabi’s aggressive style of play.
They won their first two matches against Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu FC. And for the first time in a while, AmaKhosi left their supporters hopeful.
However, they were stopped in their tracks by Mamelodi Sundowns who handed them the first defeat of the season on Saturday.
Sundowns won 2-1 in a pulsating encounter, with Ranga Chivaviro scoring first before Lucas Ribeiro Costa equalised. Iqraam Rayners then scored Masandawana’s winning goal.
WHAT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COACH MNGQITHI SAID
And as Chiefs look different this time around, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Mngqithi says they must work on dominating games rather than relying on counter attacks.
“But the truth is, it is refreshing to see a Kaizer Chiefs team that plays like this. They must look to try and dominate matches more because we cannot, as big teams rely on counter attacks.
“We must also try to put our foot forward and play but I am happy to see the progress made by the coach in such a short space of time,” Mngqithi said.
WHAT NABI NEEDS TO FULFILL HIS GAME MODEL PLANS
On the other hand, Nabi says he still needs to add more quality players to complete his “strategy”.
“I need two or three months to scout [for] the quality I need. But I don’t want to waste money when the window opens.
“Step by step, I think all the players will progress very well. With time, all the things will be stronger and stable.
“My model game is a protagonist game, all my teams before like in AS FAR in Morocco last season and Yanga, I played with a protagonist game.
“And then with Kaizer Chiefs, if you are a big club, you need to play protagonist football. But I have said that I don’t have all the materials for my model game.
“I have the vision of my model game but I don’t have all the materials for the game. I have some materials but not all. We have a responsibility to play, we still need results,” Nabi said.
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