Nasreddine Nabi explains why he kept youngster Nkosana Mbuthu on the pitch despite costly mistakes.
New Chiefs coach Nabi has made known his decision to keep youngster Nkosana Mbuthu on the pitch despite the costly mistake he made in their recent 4-0 defeat to Young Africans SC. The 18-year-old, son of former Chiefs midfielder Patrick “Ace” Mbuthu, made headlines for his surprise start at left-back due to an injury-induced positional crisis.
Mbuthu, who previously played for Chiefs’ Diski Challenge side, found himself playing left-back against the Young Africans, a position he was unfamiliar with. The decision was made as a result of injuries to Bongani Sam and Edmilson Dove during the team’s pre-season tour of Turkey. Mbuthu’s concession ahead of the Young Africans’ second goal just before half-time could have been seen as a critical error. However, coach Nabi defended his decision to keep Mbuthu on the field.
Nabi’s support for young talents
Coach Nasreddine Nabi stressed his commitment to developing young talent. “Mbuthu is a young player. I am sure he will be a great player in the future,” Nabi told SuperSport TV. He stressed that mistakes are an inherent part of football and expressed his intention to build Mbuthu’s confidence rather than undermine it by substituting him. Nabi explained: “I didn’t take him off because I want to give him confidence. I am happy with his performance.”
Nabi’s approach reflects a broader strategy to protect and develop young players. “Yes, he lost the ball before the goal, but that’s normal, it’s football. But if I take him away, I kill him straight away,” Nabi said. He stressed that his role includes supporting players in their development, making sure they progress despite their mistakes.
The coach’s vision: building a strong team
In addition to his support for Mbuthu, Nabi spoke about his team’s overall performance following the 4-0 loss to Young Africans. “Obviously, the loss today is disappointing, but it is a friendly match. We are busy learning from our mistakes and we will definitely build a strong team,” Nabi commented. He acknowledged the challenges facing his “inexperienced” team and expressed confidence in their ability to learn and grow.
The match highlighted the team’s current lack of options and the need for additional signings. The club’s sporting director confirmed that more experienced players will be brought in to strengthen the squad. Chiefs will continue their pre-season in Botswana, with the 2024/2025 Betway Premiership season set to kick off on 12 September.
Despite the setbacks, Nabi remains optimistic. “Despite the defeat, wonderful things happened and we will continue to build on them to achieve great performances in the future,” he concluded.
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