‘Chiefs in no position yet to compete for trophies’

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has accused certain media personnel of driving a ”wrong narrative” that Amakhosi were now better-positioned to win a trophy and challenge for the title.

Chiefs host Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals at FNB Stadium on Saturday (6pm). Many view the competition as a perfect opportunity for the Soweto club to finally end their nine-season trophy drought.

However, Nabi – who arrived in July with his own technical panel – has given a sense it was too early to think Amakhosi can gun for honours. “There are some media people that are trying to portray Kaizer Chiefs as title contenders and as a team that will win a trophy immediately, which is not the case,” Nabi said yesterday.

“But we have to play and get the results. This is a wrong narrative to influence the people to think we can win things now. The mission I am here to fulfil has steps, and the first step is a transition period. I’m not saying this to make an excuse because of the recent results, but we have to stick on the trajectory of the mission.

“This team is 10 years without a trophy and last season was probably the worst season in the history of the club, finishing 10th. This brings us to the objective of a long-term project. We promise our fans that we are doing everything we can to reach the level Chiefs expected to be as soon as possible."

Going into this titanic fixture, Sundowns have already beaten Chiefs 2-1 at the same venue in late September. Before that defeat, Nabi has bemoaned that the fixture against perennial league kings came too early for the rebuilding Amakhosi.

Now, the Tunisian-born mentor feels they are in a better state to face Sundowns, having played three games since their last meeting with them. Chiefs drew 2-all away to Magesi on Wednesday, having lost 1-0 to SuperSport last Saturday. Mduduzi Shabalala scored a brilliant brace for Amakhosi.

They thumped Matsatsantsa 4-0 in their first game after losing to Downs in the league two weeks ago. “There’s a lot of things that have happened since our previous game against Sundowns. We believe that individually and collectively, the team has improved. We can look forward to a better game this Saturday,'' Nabi said.

Carling Knockout fixtures

Saturday: Bay v CPT City, King Zwelithini (3pm); Chiefs v Sundowns, FNB (6pm)

Sunday: Marumo v Stellenbosch, Dr Molemela (3pm); Galaxy v Magesi, Mbombela (3pm)

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