Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has revealed why midfielder Yusuf Maart started on the bench against SuperSport United with Edson Castillo taking his place.
Amakhosi lost 1-0 at the hands of Matsatsantsa, suffering their second Betway Premiership defeat this season.
In their last league match, they were handed a 2-1 defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns in September at the FNB Stadium.
Maart started on the bench for the first time this season against Gavin Hunt’s side.
Nabi indicated that Castillo was given a starting opportunity due to his recent impressive and consistent performances.
He emphasised Castillo's notable displays in the matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport in the Carling Knockout Cup.
NABI EXPLAINS WHY CASTILLO STARTED AHEAD OF MAART
“We believe that Yusuf Maart has been playing since the beginning of the league and the cup games,” said Nabi.
“We thought that today was a good game to make him rest and to give Castillo a chance to start because against Sundowns he was good and the 20 minutes that he played in the last game he played against SuperSport was good.
We wanted to give him that continuity.”
Nabi further stated that Njabulo Blom has not been included in the starting lineup due to inadequate fitness levels.
He is confident that the versatile player will make significant contributions to the team, due to his experience.
“About Blom, it's a matter of fitness conditions, which has been improving since he arrived,” he added.
“You can even see that he's starting to pick up.
“He's a player that we believe can help because of his experience and everything.”
