Kaizer Chiefs rising star Wandile Duba has opened up on his shift in position under coach Nasressine Nabi in the early stages of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
A few months ago, Chiefs appointed Nabi as their new head coach, bringing his own technical team to revitalize the struggling club. Nabi’s arrival marked a fresh start for Chiefs, who had been trophyless for nine seasons.
Meanwhile, Duba, a promising young talent from Chiefs’ development ranks, was promoted to the senior team by former coach Arthur Zwane in the 2022/23 season. Duba’s impressive performances in the DStv Diski Challenge earned him a well-deserved promotion.
Under Nabi’s guidance, Duba is seemingly establishing himself in the senior team. The 20-year-old has featured in all three league matches under the new coach and has already contributed with an assist.
CHIEFS STRIKER WANDILE DUBA ON PLAYING IN A DIFFERENT POSITION
The talented youngster’s original position is playing as a striker. However, Nabi has used Duba as a winger as Ranga Chivaviro is currently Chiefs’ main striker.
In a league match against Mamelodi Sundowns, Duba was deployed as a winger at times, tracking back to become a wingback.
Duba says he only found out this season that he can play well as a winger after Nabi moved him there.
“I found out this season that I can actually play as a winger. He’s [Nabi] the one who prefers me to play on the side. If I think of it, it may be because of my speed and mentality,” said Duba.
“I don’t mind playing there [as a winger] because I’m a player willing to work. Any position I’m told to play at, I will play there. My natural position is being a striker, if the coach feels like Ranga [Chivaviro] has pressure he will make small changes [put me as a striker].
“That’s a difficult role [wingback], I don’t want to lie, I’m not familiar playing as a wingback. We knew they [Sundowns] attack on the right side [Thapelo] Morena’s side, so I was the player to deal with him.”
RELATED STORY: Chiefs starlet Duba opens up about the loss of his mother and how he coped
