Ranga Chivaviro needs to work on his mental toughness, according to Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi.
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NASREDDINE Nabi, like most coaches, believes in protecting his players, and the Kaizer Chiefs coach is unlikely to criticize them in public. However, the Tunisian does occasionally open up about the shortcomings of those under his charge as he seeks to help them improve.
He did so late Tuesday night, deep in the bowels of FNB Stadium, following Amakhosi’s 1-0 Betway Premiership victory over Magesi FC, courtesy of an Ashley du Preez goal.
Nabi spoke openly about what Ranga Chivaviro needs to do to save himself from the boo brigade, who are always on his case. He also revealed that he and his technical team are working hard to help Pule Mmodi become the national team player they believe he has the potential to be.
Kaizer Chiefs' Glody Lilepo was the Player of teh Match in their win over Magesi on Tuesday night.
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Chivaviro was his usual wasteful self, missing numerous chances, one of which was a sitter from inside the box after a fantastic setup by Player of the Match Glody Lilepo. Nabi ejected him from the pitch almost immediately afterward, with the Amakhosi faithful having called for the striker’s removal by rolling their hands.
Speaking at the post-match conference, the Chiefs coach explained that the striker needs to realize he is playing for a big club where pressure comes with the territory.
“To play in teams like Kaizer Chiefs, you need to have a big mentality, a strong mindset, because it is a team with a lot of fans. That means the criticism comes very easily, and that’s why you need to be very strong mentally.
"Even when you are at your lowest, you need to stay focused, stay mentally strong, and we hope that Ranga is understanding that. He needs to see that a strong mentality is essential to play for these kinds of teams.”
The big striker, who joined Chiefs from Marumo Gallants on the back of a fantastic season and was seen as a potential Golden Boot winner with Amakhosi, has been anything but. He has struggled to settle in, and while he scores the occasional goal, Chivaviro actually misses more than he converts.
It is a similar situation with Mmodi, who is unlikely to be forgiven anytime soon for that incredulous miss early in the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates. He had a few chances to score on Tuesday, with one of his late-match attempts ricocheting off the inside of the upright.
Nabi believes the player will come right soon and go on to even bigger things: “With Pule, we are working on his finishing because we believe that if he improves in that area, he’s going to be a big player.”
According to the coach, Mmodi is the complete package.
“He is a player who offers a lot — defensively and offensively, with one-on-one attacking ability—and if he improves his finishing, then it’s just a matter of time. And when it clicks, we believe he can even be a starter for Bafana Bafana.”
Bold words from the coach, who has often substituted the player after he fluffed a chance. But he works with Mmodi daily and undoubtedly sees his potential.
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