Embattled Nasreddine Nabi, downplays the pressure coming with the Nedbank Cup semi-final

This tournament is the last realistic chance for Chiefs to win some silverware, for the first time in 10 years this season.

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Chiefs have got their work cut out for them in this tournament, having last beaten Sundowns four years ago and have gone 12 matches since they last won against them.

Nabi is already under pressure after having lost 10 matches in the league, but he downplays the pressure coming from this game.

''If we lose this game - I can answer for you there is no pressure. There's passion for every game we play. We are here to build our team. When we get an opportunity like this to win a trophy, we are dedicated and we want to win, and we play every competition to win. If we win this trophy it will give us confidence as a team, but if we don't win we still have to continue to work,'' said Nabi.

Chiefs are risking finishing outside the top eight again this season, like they did the previous season. Despite Nabi saying he’s working on a two-year project, there’s no guarantee that he still enjoys the full support of the Chiefs hierarchy based on the recent results and things happening around the team.

The Tunisian born coach continues to use the analogy of having targets and sticking to his initial timelines.

''For example when you start your process, and you outline your target and when you start you change your target. So always like when planning a business, you have to start somewhere, if you compare us with Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, how long have they started on the building process,'' added Nabi.

Contrary to Nabi’s statement about the amount of time that Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have had to build-up to winning teams, coach Jose Riveiro won two titles (MTN8 and Nedbank Cup) in his first season.

Chiefs have not won in their last four matches, with two losses and two draws and managing to keep only one clean sheet. These results lead to many questions and doubts about Nabi’s project, but he says they know their shortcomings and are rectifying them with the players.

''To be honest with you, I can say we are in a good situation. In the beginning we had problems when we played against these kinds of teams. We had to look at the problem and analyse this situation, and it's in the past -we're now looking at the future. We are targeting the nine points, and look to take on the responsibility, he expressed.

Nabi also congratulated Orlando Pirates, Sundowns, and Stellenbosch FC for reaching the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation semifinals, and he believes that they are good ambassadors for South African football.