Nasreddine Nabi's frustration grows as Kaizer Chiefs fall to Marumo Gallants

Chiefs went down 2-1 to Bahlabane ba Ntwa at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon, which saw them slip out of the top eight and at risk of missing out on the opening cup competition for the second year running next season.

"Unfortunately, the situation is very bad. We have to accept it, and there is no excuse. But the most worrying this for me is not about the result. We have even lost our way of playing, and that is even more concerning", said a dejected Nabi.

"Before we had a game plan and were creating opportunities, probably not scoring enough and sometimes getting caught on counter-attack or transition. But for example, about today's game we didn't create enough, which can be interpreted by the absence of so many players and probably as well players who didn't have a lot of games in their feet", he added through his assistant and translator Cedric Kaze.

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The former Young Africans coach did, however, challenge his players to have a reaction following the defeat, and that's exactly what the Chiefs fans will be hoping for in their next game against Orlando Pirates at the same venue.

"We need to have a reaction and stick together....To try and convince the fans about the process is not going to take one or two games. It's not because you win or lose [that you can judge] if the process is going right or not".

Meanwhile, Gallants coach Abdeslam Ouaddou sympathised with his opposite number Nabi, calling him one of the best on the continent.

"I know tonight is a very difficult night for my colleague Nabi. I know that he's a very big name. Very big coach in Africa. I know him. He achieved very big things in Morocco, and they love him. Football is kind of a project. Somtimes you need time to settle your ideas, your game model. I believe he's one of the best coaches in Africa"

The defeat was Chiefs' 11th of the season, and takes them to within one of the 12 they suffered last year. They also finished 10th in the league in 2023/24 - their worst ever - and with just three games to go now, could very well break their own unwanted record.