Head coach Nasreddine Nabi has hit back at critics over Kaizer Chiefs' pre-season struggles in front of goal, with just three goals scored from the club's six pre-season matches.
The Soweto giants' pre-season preparations came to an end in underwhelming fashion as they fell 3-2 in a penalty shootout to Ghanaian giants in the Toyota Cup on Saturday.
The match was played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and ended goalless in normal time, leading to penalties.
READ | Two new signings impress Pirates' stars
It was an extension of a worrying trend for Chiefs, as they continue to struggle to put the ball in the back of the net. The Soweto giants managed to win just one of six pre-season matches, scoring three times.
However, speaking to media after the Toyota Cup clash, Nabi was quick to shut down suggestions that his side had struggled, insisting that the results were not the aim behind his pre-season program.
"We are in pre-season and the objectives of the pre-season are detailed and predetermined for everyone who knows our team," an annoyed Nabi sharply responded when quizzed on Chiefs' scoring.
"I will give you an example, in Holland, we play four games with teams from Eredivisie, first division, and one game against a team from the second division, which is a big team but has administration problems.
"The objective of these games is not to achieve a result after 90 minutes. I already explained it to you [media]. I know you are smart, but you want this question, you’re assisted by your colleague from Ghana, who asked me if it’s normal to lose in pre-season – I’m not sure if it interests the people in Ghana that in pre-season I lose."
"And you repeat, I’m sorry, but since when do we discuss results in pre-season games? I give you more information with all due respect. You asked – 'you lose, you lose, you lose' because I know the media, I have a course, I know sports media, if you want to push the coach in one direction, push him.
"But as Kaizer Chiefs coach, I respect you. You know, in the Holland games, some games we play games one day after another, against teams from the Eredivisie, senior teams, not development teams.
ALSO READ | Saleng breaks silence on Orbit switch
"Some games we play after a day with two training sessions, morning and afternoon, the next day we play. If I wanted a result and to win, it is not normal to have a program like that, but I don’t have one because I know my job, I know what’s needed.
"All the people in the world know the object of friendly games is not the result. But I know you know this, and thank you for your question," Nabi concluded.
Last season, Chiefs scored 25 goals in 28 matches as they finished ninth on the Betway Premiership table. They will be looking to improve that output when the season gets underway in August.
Photo: Gallo Images/ Darren Stewart
