Nasreddine Nabi decries the “demons” of last season in some of Kaizer Chiefs’ players

Speaking to the media after his first loss in the Betway Premiership match, Nabi didn’t mince his words towards his players, some of whom he felt lacked the fighting spirit after they were behind in this game. 

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Chiefs had taken the lead through Ranga Chivaviro, but Sundowns scored two quick goals in the first half via Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Iqraam Rayners. Nabi says losing mentality doesn’t have a place in his place.

''It's normal if you're a player at Kaizer Chiefs you have a specific DNA and you have a specific characteristic and personality. You dislike losing. You have a winning mentality, after this goal from Sundowns, we were suppressed, this mentality I don't accept,'' said Nabi.

It was an improved performance from Chiefs after they had lost 5-1 to Sundowns towards the end of last season, but still Nabi feels there were elements of their play which took away from what he’s trying to build with the team. He says players who don’t see his vision, don’t have a place at Amakhosi.

''I don't change because I am the first to step in the strategy, I had to step up because I dislike losing. Maybe we played better than last season, but this is Kaizer Chiefs, we don't accept to lose like that. If you don't know what Kaizer Chiefs is, sorry you don't have a place here,'' added Nabi.

Played in front of a sold-out crowd of 85 000 spectators, this game lived up to the expectations and the colorful build up that was associated with it. Nabi also feels that the match was a good advert for South African football.

One of the biggest talking points in yesterday’s game was the second goal of Sundowns, with many Chiefs fans and pundits believing that it was offside. Chiefs also had a goal disallowed at the death, when Inácio Miguel was adjudged to have made a foul. But Nabi refused to comment on the match officials.

''For referees, I don't want to talk about referees. It is not my speciality,'' he expressed.

Last season, Chivaviro scored only four goals in 23 matches in all competitions but this season, he’s already scored two goals in only three matches in the league. Nabi is justified when he sees some improvement in his striker, who was a handful to the Sundowns defense on the day.