Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says the pre-season drubbing to Young Africans has helped him understand his team better in a bid to transform the club’s fortunes.
Chiefs suffered a demoralising 4-0 defeat to the Tanzanian giants, Yanga, in the Toyota Cup at a sold-out Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Sunday’s encounter was the first game Amakhosi played in public after Nabi took over the steering wheel at Naturena.
Part of their pre-season camp in Turkey, where they are believed to have played several friendly matches, was conducted behind closed doors.
READ: Nasreddine Nabi’s Kaizer Chiefs swept aside by Young Africans in Toyota Cup friendly
Nabi’s first official match will see him lead the Soweto giants back to the Free State Stadium for a clash against Marumo Gallants on Saturday, September 14.
The loss to Yanga has received mixed reviews from supporters and pundits, others stating it will take a lot for the coach to bring back the club’s glory days.
But the Tunisian-born mentor reminded everyone the defeat is not the most important factor during pre-season preparations.
“It’s a friendly game, we haven’t lost any points. We consider it a learning curve and a good opportunity to know the team. To learn about their weaknesses and strengths,” Nabi said through an interpreter.
“We would also like to congratulate the team of Young Africans for their performance today. They allowed us to have an accurate picture of the condition of our team.
“We learned from that and be sure we will be able to build on that.”
When fielding questions from the present media about what words he has shared with his players after such a defeat, Nabi ditched the services of an interpreter and said despite the loss, the objectives of the match were achieved.
“Today is a friendly game, please guys, it’s a friendly game,” Nabi said.
“For people who know football, the vision of friendly games is not (about winning). Yes, I’m not bringing the losing mentality.
“The game of today has helped me too much, why? Because it has allowed me to know exactly about my players as a collective and as individuals.
“I’m not happy when I lose any game because I have a winning mentality and character, I don’t just accept losing but ja after today people will be talking about Chiefs and Nabi, today we observed some positive points.
“It’s not my problem if people don’t know football and they won’t sleep today because the team has lost a friendly game, but I know which negatives I need to change and what are the positives.
“That was the objective for today’s game.”
'We didn't lose three points against Yanga,' - Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says they are still in pre-season.
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) July 29, 2024
WATCH full interview ➡️ ➡️ ➡️https://t.co/KqI2wxSRfO pic.twitter.com/1h6acusltx
