Nabi confident Kaizer Chiefs can clinch Top 8 finish with final-day victory

Nasreddine Nabi believes Kaizer Chiefs can still secure a Top 8 finish and has urged the Amakhosi faithful to turn out in large numbers to spur the team on in their final match of the season against Polokwane City at FNB Stadium this weekend.

Speaking after Chiefs drew 1-1 with Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane — a result that left them stuck in ninth place on 31 points — the Tunisian coach expressed confidence that his team can sneak into the coveted top-eight bracket.

“If you look at the table, it’s a situation that will be resolved in the last game,” he said, referring to the fact that Chiefs are just one win away from sixth-placed AmaZulu and trail seventh-placed Cape Town City by only two points.

“We are going to do everything to qualify, and we are confident we can. We are playing at home and everyone knows how important it is going to be. We need the three points, and we would like to send a message to all our fans — we need them to come to our last game.”

Nabi will once again be forced to reshuffle his squad, as he did against Sekhukhune, where he had to start without his regular back four due to suspensions and injuries. On Saturday, Pule Mmodi was sent off in the dying moments for elbowing an opponent and will miss the season finale.

“The issue of missing players is already there and, as coaches, we have to face it and find solutions — that’s why we are here. We played without the entire back four we started the season with. We had no Miguel (Inácio), Bradley (Cross), Rushwin (Dortley), or Reeve (Frosler).”

Nabi opted for a back-three system, but the absence of his regulars was felt as Chiefs appeared disorganised in defence. A clear defensive mix-up led to a goal in the third minute, with Ngaonamello Rammala punishing them to give Sekhukhune the lead. Chiefs recovered well, however, and equalised on the stroke of half-time through Glody Lilepo.

“It was an intense and very physical game,” Nabi reflected.

“We didn’t enter the game well and conceded early due to a lack of concentration. But we had the character to stay in the game, stayed focused, and created chances before scoring just before half-time.

“In the second half, I feel the Nedbank Cup final took its toll — physically, we struggled a bit. It was a headache making substitutions because we didn’t have defenders on the bench.

"That’s why Sekhukhune took the initiative and had the upper hand. We had two opportunities to score, and they also had a chance. I think a point was deserved for both teams, even though we were looking for all three.”

Chiefs will now need to claim all three points against Polokwane City if they are to achieve their goal of finishing in the top eight and qualifying for next season’s MTN8.