Chiefs’ game plan to beat Sundowns was to play deep, says Nabi

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has revealed his tactical plan that saw them emerge victorious against Mamelodi Sundowns in their Nedbank Cup semifinal at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.

The 2-1 comeback win, courtesy of goals from Wandile Duba (57th minute) and substitute Ashley du Preez (89th), saw Amakhosi advance to the final. Tebogo Mokoena had put Sundowns ahead in the fourth minute of added time in the first half.

Chiefs and Sundowns have met four times this season, with Masandawana winning three of those before Sunday's match — twice in the league and the other in the Carling Knockout.

Nabi believes his side was unlucky to lose those games and revealed how he plotted for Sundowns' downfall on Sunday.

“I think in the last two games against Sundowns, we were unlucky we did not score from the opportunities we got,” the Chiefs coach said.

“Today [Sunday] the game plan was we needed to play deep. We knew Sundowns always like to find difficulty. We knew their centre-backs sometimes take risks and we tried to push to make a trap.

“I think even in the first half it was tactical. At the beginning of the game, we said let's manage the first half.

“We knew that Sundowns were [fatigued] after the game against Esperance and we knew they couldn't manage 90 minutes. But we had to prove we deserve to be in the final.”

The Glamour Boys have a chance to end their 10-year trophy drought when they face Pirates in the final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on May 10.

Nabi believes his side can do that and after their competitive showing — stunning Downs, the favourites on Sunday on form and riding recent success, in their backyard — the coach has some reason for such optimism.

“You have to consider the number of years it took Sundowns to build their team, that's why we are still in the process. We are taking things step by step in building our squad.

“When we play Sundowns, one of the biggest teams, it's always tough. But in the last match, they were luckier than us.

“We had opportunities but didn't convert — yet they always manage to score. We [also] manage to score. We always remind the players we are often close to winning the game, but there are problems, mistakes or just bad luck.”

Amakhosi return to Betway Premiership action hoping for a much-needed victory to improve the eighth position they've been stuck in for weeks when they meet Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

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