Nabi not critical of Samkelo Zwane after costly error, identifies real culprits

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has defended young midfielder Samkelo Zwane following his costly error against Mamelodi Sundowns, revealing who must take responsibility.

Amakhosi were demolished 4-0 by Masandawana on Saturday evening in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-final tie in front of a sold-out crowd at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.

The first Sundowns goal came through Zwane’s moment of misfortune when his backheel pass was pounced upon by Lucas Ribeiro Costa. The Brazilian attacker subsequently burst into the box and was brought down, earning his side a crucial penalty.

Iqraam Rayners stepped up and rattled the back of the net, putting Sundowns ahead.

Speaking to the media after the game, Nabi acknowledged the subpar performance of the youngsters who had been on song in previous games. However, he refrained from criticising Zwane, insisting that the 22-year-old is acquiring experience.

Nabi then pointed the finger at the Chiefs senior players, saying they didn’t step up to lead the way for young players. He emphasised that they needed to take responsibility in challenging moments like Sundowns’ game.

NABI -‘ SAMKELO ZWANE WAS NOT THE WORST PLAYER ON THE FIELD, THERE WERE OTHERS’

“It’s true that some of the youngsters didn’t show what they wanted to use; you spoke about Zwane, but we believe that it’s a learning curve for those youngsters,” said Nabi.

“But especially what we need to do in these kinds of games to deal with these kinds of big games, the experienced players, they need to take responsibility. That’s where we believe that today, there was something that they didn’t hold on to. Because all those young players, they are looking up to those who are more experienced having played these kinds of games a hundred times.

“They’re looking up to them; they need to understand how big this club is.

“How big the history of this club is big that nobody, skllful as he is or he might be, is not going to be above this club. That’s what they need to understand and take responsibility for in difficult moments like this.

“Zwane is a young player, and he still has all his years ahead of him. He’s going to improve, he’s going to improve.

“And Zwane was not the worst player on the field. No, there were others and more experienced than him. That’s why we need to encourage our players. Those experienced, they need to take responsibility.”

RELATED STORY: Sundowns thrash 10-man Chiefs to book Carling Knockout semi-final spot