Nabi breathes sigh of relief as Chiefs end decade-long drought

NASREDDINE Nabi says lifting the Nedbank Cup with Kaizer Chiefs may have bought him time to prove he's the right man to lead the club beyond this season.

- SMISO MSOMI

The Tunisian tactician guided Amakhosi to a dramatic 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at a sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon, ending the club’s painful 10-year wait for silverware.

“My first objective for the club is to place Kaizer Chiefs back in its natural position,” he said at the post match press conference.

“I'm happy for this trophy because it is going to help me continue my process, and it is going to give the fans a lot more confidence in this project,” Nabi said.

Gaston Sirino put Chiefs ahead from the spot before Evidence Makgopa equalised shortly after for the Buccaneers.

But it was skipper Yusuf Maart who sealed the win late on - a symbolic goal from a player whose leadership has been under scrutiny all season.