Ruthless Nasreddine Nabi hints Sibongiseni Mthethwa has no Kaizer Chiefs future - 'Maybe mentally this affected Ox'

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa played a vital role as his team beat Mamelodi Sundowns to win the Home of Legends Cup.

The 30-year-old showed why the Soweto Giants signed him with a seamless display against Masandawana.

In the 2023/24 campaign, Mthethwa played 29 matches for Chiefs across all competitions.

It turned out to be the club's worst PSL run as the Glamour Boys went on to finish 10th on the table.

When Nabi arrived, it got worse for the combative midfielder as the Tunisian demoted him to a bench role after moves to Magesi FC and Stellenbosch failed.

However, it seems the recent display, coupled with Edson Castillo's long-term injury might work to Ox's advantage.

“You understand with Ox; in pre-season when I came, I think Ox understood he won’t be a starting eleven player,” the tactician told the media.

“Maybe mentally this affected Ox, [but] after that I have seen him improve his morale, giving maximum in training for a comeback, he’s got a specific profile, different from the other midfielders.

"My game needs specific qualities from some players, but Ox’s profile, he has quality, he offers balance to the team but right now he understands [the situation] he has competition and it’s open for all players [to impress]," Nabi concluded.

After his recent display, Nabi might be tempted to give Ox a chance in a PSL outing against Richards Bay, on Wednesday, to provide cover for the defensive unit that has conceded 11 goals in seven matches across all competitions.

The Glamour Boys have collected one point from their last three league games.