Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has expressed his delight over the great mentality of some of his players who are even willing to play through pain.
Nabi watched his side stage a second half comeback to stun Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in the Nedbank Cup semi-final and seal a place in the final, where they will face Orlando Pirates on May 10, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The Tunisia coach has shared some of the intrigues leading to the match, revealing that defenders Edmilson Dove and Zitha Kwinika were not fully fit but were still willing to take the risk and play to help the team achieve its objectives.
“There are a lot of young players, but we were waiting for the right time to put them in. Aden [McCarthy] was maybe 90% [close] to starting this game. He was a starter, but I have to thank the medical staff for preparing [Edmilson] Dove and Zitha [Kwinika] for us,” said Nabi as per SPORTSWIRE.
What has Nabi said about Dove & Kwinika?
“And thanks to the players because some players, when they get injured, can decide they can’t play this kind of game, a semi-final against Sundowns, scared for themselves, but big mentality and sacrifice from [Edmilson] Dove and Zitha [Kwinika], and I have to thank them,” the tactician went on.
The two players have had to be patient for opportunities at Chiefs this season, as they were injured for most of the campaign, with their return coming at the right time when Nabi is short of defenders due to injuries to Rushwin Dortley and Miguel Inacio.
Nabi will hope to see the same mentality in Chiefs’ other games, starting with Saturday’s clash away to Chippa United in the PSL.
