Nabi back on the frontline as Chiefs target Sundowns' scalp

Kaizer Chiefs are flying high in confidence, and with their biggest challenge of the season looming, they will put their unbeaten league run on the line against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday night (7.30pm kick-off).

Head coach Nasreddine Nabi is back in the country after missing the opening three matches due to compassionate leave. Chiefs have already shown resilience in his absence winning all three matches, but with Sundowns having beaten them three times last season, the Glamour Boys know the stakes are high. 

Their only victory against the Brazilians came in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals last season (2-1), and they will be hoping to use their strong start as a springboard.

While Nabi was away, assistant coaches Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef led the team from the touchline. Kaze emphasised that the coaching structure remained intact, and Nabi’s presence on the bench won’t alter the system already in place.

“The approach is always the same," Kaze said.

“It’s true that the coach is here now, we are on the field every day, and the selection doesn’t change. It is just that now he is physically here. We speak daily; we are on the field every minute to see how the boys are performing, and we will choose the best players at the moment to represent Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday.”

Sundowns, meanwhile, come into the clash nursing the disappointment of an MTN8 semi-final exit to Orlando Pirates over the weekend and have also looked short of their usual sharpness.

Miguel Cardoso’s side has been impacted by the absence of two of last season’s key performers, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Khuliso Mudau.

Even so, Kaze was quick to remind his players and fans that there are no easy fixtures against the reigning champions.

“People may think that (it’s the best time to play Sundowns). Kaze continued.

“But at the end of the day you have to do your job and perform well on the field; it doesn’t matter the context or circumstances of the opponent, and we must not forget we are playing the seven-time champions.”

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