CRUNCH TIME Plenty will be on the line in the Nedbank Cup final at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, in the Soweto Derby involving Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Amakhosi coach Nasreddine Nabi said simply making it to the final against Orlando Pirates was a massive highlight, regardless of whether the Kaizer Chiefs go on to win the Nedbank Cup.
Despite the fireworks expected at the 3:30 pm kick-off at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, the result won’t diminish the massive achievement for a struggling Chiefs outfit to reach the final.
Chiefs, have by all accounts, experienced another difficult season as they are facing the prospect of another finish outside the top eight in the league.
With four games remaining in the Betway Premiership, the Chiefs are currently ninth in the standings, sharing the same 30-point tally as Chippa United. If they fail to overtake Chippa, who have five games left, it will not be a positive outcome, especially considering their 10th-place finish last term.
Looking ahead to a Soweto Derby in the cup final though, Nabi said: “It’s true that it’s a big game coming up, but I will first say that everything has not been negative this season. I would say that our journey to the final of the Nedbank Cup allows the club to play in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
“It’s not a performance itself, but it’s a positive thing for the club.”
Ultimately, Chiefs do have the ability to beat Pirates, insisted Nabi.
“About the pressure, there are players who have played for this club, done pretty well for this club, for example, Doctor Khumalo and (Simphiwe) Tshabalala,” he said.
“Their analysis or points of view of the situation, as well as my point of view about the situation of the club, it’s true that maybe the pressure I feel is to deceive the fans.
“But I’m pretty sure and confident I’m going into the Saturday game with confidence that we can do the good things, and we can lift this trophy.”