Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi expressed his thoughts on debutant Aden McCarthy’s performance during the 1-1 draw against Sekhukune United on Saturday.
The match saw Babina Noko and Amakhosi battle to a stalemate at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
With Inacio Miguel and Bradley Cross suspended, and Given Msimango and Rushwin Dortley sidelined due to injuries, Nabi gave McCarthy his debut. The DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] defender lined up alongside Edmilson Dove and Zitha Kwinika.
The Tunisian mentor shared his assessment of the young defender’s performance after the game. “It’s true that we didn’t start the game well in the first two or three minutes. We conceded a goal [early] with a backline that played together for the first time [because of injuries and suspension],” he told SuperSport TV.
The Soweto giants conceded a goal just three minutes in, courtesy of a strike from Ngoanamello Rammala. But they equalised just before half-time through Glody Lilepo’s effort.
WHAT NABI SAID ABOUT ADEN MCCARTHY’S PERFORMANCE
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Aden McCarthy. It’s his first game in the [Betway] Premiership. He did a very, very good performance,” said Nabi on the academy graduate.
Although he was dissatisfied with the single point they earned, he praised his team for demonstrating resilience and character in their comeback.
“We had the strong character to stay in the game, to stay concentrated, and we scored in the last minute of the first half. It was a very good moment as well for us, which allowed us to go into halftime with morale and to come back stronger.”
The result leaves Chiefs in ninth position with just one game remaining before the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. They will host Polokwane City at the FNB Stadium next weekend. Nabi emphasised the need to strive for maximum points.
“It’s the last game we’re gonna need to fight for the three points. It’s not going to be easy,” he said. He added that he was hoping to get a few more players back for the next game. Miguel and Cross return from suspension.
“We hope to get some players back from a suspension or injury because today there was no defender on the bench, even in the final. However, we congratulate the players for doing everything they could to secure three points, but we still have a chance, and we’re going to do everything possible after the last game to finish in the top eight.”
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