Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has set the record straight on the controversial late substitution of Thabo Cele and the absence of defensive stalwart Inacio Miguel during their 2-1 Soweto Derby loss to Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership.
Despite leading 1-0 early on, Amakhosi surrendered their advantage at FNB Stadium, conceding twice to suffer their 12th league defeat of the season, a grim milestone that matches their worst-ever PSL-era record for most losses in a single campaign.
The defeat stung even more as it marked Pirates’ league double over Chiefs this season.
Late Cele cameo sparks questions
When Thabo Cele entered the pitch with just 13 minutes remaining, many fans questioned the timing. Why wait so long to unleash a player who’s been such a bright spark since his January arrival?
Nabi addressed the concern head-on:
“For Cele, he is coming from an injury, and he hasn’t fully trained, and he’s been injured. That’s why he wasn’t fully fit, 100 per cent to start the game, to play the 90 minutes,” Nabi said as quoted by FARPost.
Although not ready to start, Cele made an impact off the bench, replacing Nkosingiphile Ngcobo. The midfielder has clocked 14 appearances across all competitions and has quickly become a vital presence in the engine room.
No show for Miguel: More than just a tactical snub
While Cele featured late, Inacio Miguel didn’t step onto the pitch at all, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. The decision to start Zitha Kwinika instead led many to speculate that Nabi was resting key players for the upcoming Nedbank Cup final.
But Nabi insists fitness, not strategy, dictated Miguel’s exclusion:
“About Inacio, it is the same thing, he is coming from an injury. And he wasn’t really fully fit to give a 100 per cent performance.”
Miguel, a central figure in Chiefs’ backline with 24 appearances and four goals, has even captained the side this season. His absence was felt as the defense crumbled under Pirates’ pressure, especially after Bradley Cross saw red in added time.
What’s next: High-stakes rematch looms
The heartbreak at FNB Stadium won’t have time to linger. Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will clash again in the Nedbank Cup semi-final on Saturday, May 10 at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
With redemption on the line and both Cele and Miguel possibly regaining fitness, Nabi faces immense pressure to get his selections right and reignite Amakhosi’s fight.
Stay tuned with The South African as we explain Why Kaizer Chiefs coach benched Miguel and Cele.
Do you think Chiefs can bounce back in the cup clash?
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