Kaizer Chiefs' Nasreddine Nabi hails Flavio Da Silva, Gaston Sirino and Mfundo Vilakazi and admits players were very tired after Mamelodi Sundowns game - 'I think the substitutes gave more for the team'

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has admitted that his players were too tired after playing Mamelodi Sundowns in a midweek Premier Soccer League game.

Nabi made the comment following Chiefs' 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Saturday. Apart from being tired, the Tunisian revealed what he told the players at half-time before the away win against Arrows.

Before Nabi made the substitutions, Chiefs were struggling to break the Arrows apart, but the changes that saw Flavio Da Silva, Gaston Sirino, and Mfundo Vilakazi thrown into action paid off.

Silva, with an assist from Sirino, scored the winning strike, which is also his debut goal, 10 minutes after replacing Ashley Du Preez.

“I think in the first half we created too many opportunities to score; we didn’t have a chance to score, and I observed after 45 minutes the mood went down in the room. I talked with them, and normally they are more focused and go up, don’t go down, and (have) patience. You will score, and I’m happy it happened,” Nabi told SuperSport TV.

“But I think we started badly in the second half, the first 30 minutes of the second half, because some players were very tired after the last game against Sundowns; it’s normal. I think the substitutes gave more for the team," he added.

“You’ll remember before the game I said it’s a very difficult game; we were in for a very difficult game, and it’s a very difficult game. I think I’m happy for all the staff, team players, people, and fans."

Chiefs remain unbeaten in the season and are in second place with 13 points, just below Sekhukhune United, who have also been very impressive.

Only a superior goal difference sets Amakhosi and Babina Noko apart after five rounds in the league.

The win over Abafana Bes'thende is the first this season under Nabi, who just returned after attending to a family matter in Tunisia. The previous games were overseen by his assistants, Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.

After the crunch ties against Masandawana and then Arrows, they will be back in action on September 16 to face Sekhukhune.

This is expected to be a blockbuster duel at the FNB Stadium given that both are unbeaten this season, as they have won four of their games and registered one draw each.