Nasreddine Nabi defends Samkelo Zwane after costly error in Kaizer Chiefs defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns - 'It's a learning curve'

Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has defended youngster Samkelo Zwane after his costly mistakes in the club's embarrassing defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout quarter-final match.

Amakhosi had a dreadful first-half display. Zwane lost the ball in a dangerous zone, which resulted in Njabulo Blom conceding a penalty that gave the Brazilians their first goal. 

Masandawana led 3-0 at the break, courtesy of a first-half performance that Manqoba Mngqithi labelled the best after the match. 

Nabi, who acknowledged Downs' dominance, refused to blame Zwane, instead criticizing Chiefs senior players for not taking responsibility. 

"Indeed, some of the youngsters didn't show what they wanted to show, you spoke about Samkelo Zwane, but we believe that it's a learning curve for those youngsters. But what we need to do in these kinds of games, in these kinds of big games, the experienced players need to take responsibility," Nabi told the media after the match.

"We believe that today, there was something that they didn't hold off because all those young players are looking up to those who are more experienced, who have played these kinds of games a hundred times.

"Those youngsters are looking up to the experienced players so they just need to understand how big this club is, how big the history of this club is, and that nobody, skillful or not, is not going to be above this club," he explained. 

"We believe that's what they need to understand and take responsibility in difficult moments like this because Zwane is a young player, and he still has all his years ahead of him and he is going to improve," added the outspoken mentor. 

"Also, Zwane was not the worst player on the field. No, there were others and more experienced than him. That is why we need to encourage our players, those experienced, they need to take responsibility." 

Zwane has had a slow start to the 2023/24 season with Nabi still trying to put together a strong team to challenge for trophies. 

Chiefs supporters have, of late, been critical for the 22-year-old star. However, in two games before Sundowns, he showed signs of improvement.

The Soweto giants' faithfuls are hungry for success having gone for at least nine years without lifting any major trophy and that puts pressure on players.

Zwane, who has been with the Chiefs senior team since January 2023, should raise his bar and improve his game to earn the supporters' confidence. 

The Amakhosi academy graduate will be looking to improve on his recent unpromising displays when the Soweto giants return to action against Richards Bay on November 27.