Kaizer Chiefs will have one last shot at silverware this season when they face off against in-form Mamelodi Sundowns in a high-stakes Nedbank Cup semi-final at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday evening.
With three defeats already to the reigning league champions this season, Amakhosi will be desperate to turn the tide and revive their trophy hopes in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter, and Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi is determined to use the upcoming fixture as a chance to take a step towards ending their long wait for a trophy.
“For this game, I am not only thinking about myself — it’s a big opportunity for the club and for me to write new history by qualifying for the final and winning this tournament,” Nabi commented ahead of their crunch match on Sunday. “It’s been a long time since we last won a trophy, and it’s a big opportunity for us to create new history for the team.”
The Tunisian mentor has had a tough first season with the Naturena-based outfit, and the Nedbank Cup remains their only realistic opportunity for silverware as they continue to fight to end the season among the top eight teams.
Amakhosi are winless in their last four matches, with two losses and two draws. As neighbours and rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns continue to prosper both domestically and on the continent, Nabi will face the daunting task of breaking a three-match losing streak against Sundowns in a bid to end the season on a high.
“In our Carling Cup game (4–0), we had some fitness issues because we had just come back from a game against Polokwane City,” said Nabi.
He added that the two sides have always been closely matched despite the results not going their way so far this season.
“The level between the two sides has always been close. In the first league match, which we lost 2–1, there was a refereeing problem because we scored a goal and the referee did not accept it.
“In the second league match in Pretoria (1–0), we had three opportunities, and they were lucky that they managed to score with theirs. We are going to play another game against them, and each team has a chance to win, as both teams now know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
