Wandile Duba opens up on his shift in position under Nabi

Wandile Duba. Picture by Kaizer Chiefs

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

Wandile Duba at Kaizer Chiefs training. Picture by Kaizer Chiefs

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.”