by Benjamin Nyirenda
Kaizer Chiefs will be playing in the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium and Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi will be banking on his past experience in Cup finals.
Speaking to the media during a Nedbank Cup Press Conference in Naturena on Monday, Nabi said that this was his fifth Cup final in his coaching career after reaching three with Young Africans in Tanzania and one with AS FAR in Morocco last year. This is however his first final in the Betway Premiership, and with Amakhosi, and Amakhosi faithful will be watching to see how he performs.
The Tunisian-born mentor said that he knows what to expect from the game as Cup games were different from league encounters. Chiefs suffered a 1-2 loss to Pirates last weekend in their second League encounter for the current season.
“I played in the finals last season with AS FAR, it was 1-1 and just one mistake and we lost the game. In the last five seasons I have been in five finals. Three in Tanzania, one in Morocco and now one in South Africa. I think I have experience in finals. In finals you need self-control. You don’t receive pressure in the finals, and I know my approach with the players. Honestly I have the momentum, and I know how to approach the finals, ” Nabi said.
Meanwhile the former Yanga SC coach further said that he feels for the fans, and he respects them and that he would like to win the cup final for them.
“I respect fans. It’s normal to be disappointed when your team is losing. Also, me I am not happy. I am the first person affected by the results. I would like to win this Nedbank Cup for the fans. I want to thank the fans and thank them for the support of the team,” Nabi concluded.