Nasreddine Nabi reveals how Kaizer Chiefs plotted Mamelodi Sundowns downfall in the Nedbank Cup duel - 'We knew that they couldn’t manage 90 minutes'

Coach Nasreddine Nabi has revealed what helped Kaizer Chiefs beat Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final duel at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday.

Nabi, whose charges stormed to a 1-0 victory, said Amakhosi knew that the Brazilians were physical and would barely manage the momentum to the end.

Indeed, the Soweto giants scored the winning goal very late in the second half to ensure Sundowns' campaign in the domestic competition came to an end.

“I think even in the first half it was a tactical half; at the beginning of the game, we said we’d manage the first half. We know that Sundowns are physical after the game against Esperance, and we knew that they can’t manage 90 minutes,” Nabi said.

“I think after the 45 minutes, it’s very difficult, and it’s a very bad time to concede when you go inside the last minute of the first half. But believe me, we said only one thing in the change room: ‘This game is our game.’ We have to win this game for the fans, supporters, and everybody.

“We have to prove that we deserve to be in the final, and I think we said to the players congratulations for the first half, but I was more than sure for the second half they will come good for the fans and make them happy. Congratulations for them,” he added.

Nabi also discussed the tactical manoeuvre that helped Amakhosi finally beat the Tshwane giants.

“I think in the last two games against Sundowns we were unlucky that we did not score the opportunities we got. Today the plan of the game was we needed to play deep; we knew that Sundowns always like to find difficulty.

“We knew that their centre-backs sometimes take risks, and we tried to push to make a trap. The first goal we made was when we made a trap. The second goal was the ball in the deep, and it was the plan of the game. But believe you me, they start the second half with a goal, and it made us believe we can win this game,” Nabi said.

Amakhosi came into the game having rested for more days than Sundowns. Their last match before the cup game took place on April 5 when they faced TS Galaxy, while the reigning Premier Soccer League champions were recently in action against Esperance on April 8.

With the win, Nabi can now dream of a possible trophy in his debut season with Kaizer Chiefs, although they have struggled in the PSL.

Meanwhile, the loss is a big setback for coach Miguel Cardoso, who was targeting a treble in his first season with the Brazilians.

Chiefs will be in league action as they are set to face Chippa United on April 19.

The Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates has been scheduled to be played on May 10 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Downs, on the other hand, will play Al Ahly on May 18 for the first leg of the Caf Champions League semi-final meeting.