Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has given his verdict on the game following his side’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of their bitter-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby.
This was Amakhosi’s second loss against the Buccaneers in the Betway Premiership this season, having suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first round.
Glody Lilepo’s first-half goal for Amakhosi was cancelled out by Evidence Makgopa, before Relebohile Mofokeng scored the winner for Pirates.
Following the match, Chiefs coach Nabi lamented his team’s failure to capitalise on their early dominance, which allowed Pirates to gain momentum and ultimately secure the victory.
CHIEFS COACH – ‘WE DIDN’T KILL THE GAME’
“We came into the game very well, we scored early, and we had an opportunity to keep going and create more chances and score even more,” said Nabi in the post-match interview on SuperSport TV.
“But we didn’t do that, and when we were [leading], we conceded the goal from nowhere. In our best moment, we didn’t kill the game.
“After that, they were in their best moment, they took the game and capitalised in their best moment.”
Chiefs’ concerning pattern of conceding goals after taking the lead continued in their loss to Pirates, mirroring their previous match against Marumo Gallants. When questioned about this trend, which saw them score first in both games only to lose, Nabi was asked if it stemmed from a psychological vulnerability.
He dismissed this, saying it was just the individual’s mistakes that cost them. He then stated that they easily gave away the game to Pirates.
NABI SAYS CHIEFS GAVE AWAY THE GAME TO PIRATES
“I don’t think it’s a psychological thing [losing after scoring first] because in that game [against Marumo Gallants] when we were leading 1-0, I think there was a clear penalty [that should have been given Chiefs],” Nabi added.
“Probably, if we were given that penalty, the game would have been completely different.
“And it was the individual mistakes that gave the opportunities to the opponents. We think today’s result is a gift to the opponents.”
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