Frustration for Nasreddine Nabi as he returns to Kaizer Chiefs dugout with a draw

Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi walked away from the FNB Stadium on Wednesday night feeling a twinge of regret following his side’s goalless draw with rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.

This high-stakes clash saw Nabi return to the touchline after family commitments saw him miss the opening three games of the season, but also served as a notable litmus test against the reigning Premiership champions.

Despite the stalemate, Nabi believes his team had the necessary measures in place to secure a victory.

“We could have got the three points,” he said in the post-match interview. “But there was a good team in front of us. We have a little bit of regret not getting the win today, but we will work and look ahead to the future.”

The result does not overshadow a promising start for the Chiefs; they remain unbeaten after four matches and have yet to concede a goal, a remarkable turnaround for a team that finished ninth last season.

“Yes, we have not lost yet, but we believe tonight we could have got more,” Nabi lamented. However, his optimism shone through as he noted, “We appreciate that we are going in the right direction and we are going to work better for the next game.”

Nabi's comments reflect a collective determination within the club eager to improve game by game.

Nabi’s tactical adjustments during the second half did bring a positive shift in momentum, allowing Chiefs to press higher and assert greater control of the game. Nevertheless, he expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s inability to convert the opportunities that presented themselves.

“In the first half we struggled a bit, but in the second half we made tactical adjustments in midfield which allowed us to press higher,” he explained. “We had opportunities, but unfortunately, we could not convert them.”

Across the dugout, Sundowns’ coach Miguel Cardoso echoed Nabi’s sentiments regarding the match's intensity.

“I think the boys understood the message regarding how to approach such games. It was a fantastic match, very intense from the start,” he commented. Cardoso acknowledged the players' efforts, despite the underwhelming outcome. “I’m not happy with the result, but congratulations to the spirit the players showed.”

Chiefs will now look ahead to their next fixture against Golden Arrows on Saturday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. The team will aim to build on their solid foundation while preparing for a brief international hiatus.

For Nabi, the journey ahead appears promising, and while a goalless draw may not have been the homecoming he envisioned, it certainly sets the stage for continued development and potential success.