Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has publicly praised the immense courage and dedication of two players who played through injuries during Sunday’s high-stakes encounter against rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs stormed into the final of the Nedbank Cup, thanks to a late Ashley Du Preez goal.
After coming from behind, Amakhosi emerged 2-1 victors over Sundowns in the semi-final at the Loftus Stadium on Sunday. The win set up a clash against Orlando Pirates in the final of the knockout competition.
Going into the match, Chiefs missed the services of Inacio Miguel, who sustained an injury just over a week ago against TS Galaxy in a Betway Premiership match. With Rushwin Dortley and Reeve Frosler out for the season, it meant Nabi had to field a completely new backline.
Edmilson Dove partnered with Given Msimango and Bradley Cross in a three-man central defence. Dillan Solomons and Pule Mmodi played as the two wing-backs.
Speaking to reporters after the match, a visibly moved Nabi lauded the two players’ professionalism and sacrifice.
WHICH TWO CHIEFS PLAYERS PLAYED WITH INJURY AGAINST SUNDOWNS?
Nabi revealed that Dove and Cele played while injured. “Maybe before the game, we didn’t discuss injured players,” Nabi told journalists.
“But maybe now it’s time to say that before this game, we lost Miguel [Inacio]. Then we were unlucky with [Edmilson] Dove and Zitha [Kwinika]—all of them also got injured.”
He added that Dove “played with an injury” while Kwinika also struggled with an injury.
“For that, we try to add Aden [McCarthy]. He’s with us. He is training with the senior team….”.
In midfield, Thabo Cele was not fully fit. “He played with an injury today. When you see the performance of our players, you can understand how much these players love this team, how they deserve to be in this team and already what they did [against Sundowns],” explained Nabi.
He extended his gratitude to the club’s medical staff for preparing Dove and Kwinika. “Thanks to the players, because some players, when they get an injury, they can decide they can’t play this kind of game – a semi-final against Sundowns. But big mental [strength] and sacrifice for Dove and Zitha.”
With focus shifting to the Betway Premiership next weekend, Nabi will be hoping for the return of Inacio in defence. Chiefs visit Chippa United for their next league match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Thereafter, they host Marumo Gallants at the FNB Stadium on 26 April.
RELATED STORY: What Nabi told Chiefs players about Suarez: Duba’s reveal