‘OX’ looking like the bull Nabi has always wanted
The special praise that Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi gave midfielder Sibongiseni Mthethwa recently is expected to motivate every player in the team to be at his best.
Mthethwa made his long-awaited start – and first appearance – under Nabi when Chiefs squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Royal AM two weeks ago.
And having impressed – despite the disappointing result – Mthethwa returned to the starting Xl when Amakhosi beat 2-1 Richards Bay last weekend in Polokwane.
Mthethwa’s turn of fortunes started in the Home of Legends Cup as he played a crucial role in the team’s triumph of another friendly cup after winning the Cufa already.
But before that, though, Mthethwa’s future at the club looked bleak as he hadn’t featured in the first six official games, despite making some bench appearances.
You see, Mthethwa’s future was up in the air so much so that rumours linked him to various clubs on loan during the off-season transfer window, including newbies Magesi.
But having stayed put at the club, it seems Nabi and the former Stellenbosch midfielder, who arrived with a lofty billing last season, have found a common ground.
“I think this time ‘Ox’ understands his role. We worked together on his negative points,” said Nabi after the 2-1 win over the Natal Rich Boyz.
“Ox” worked hard to improve the negative points. If he works hard, he will progress. He took his chance and worked it. Same with all players. I congratulate Ox for his performance.”
Indeed, Nabi will hope to see more of his players come into the fore and help the team, starting in their clash against Polokwane City at Old Peter Mokaba on Saturday (6.30pm).
Nabi gave some fringe players – such as Mthethwa, Dillan Solomons, Brandon Petersen, Ashley Du Preez and Pule Mmodi – minutes in those last two games against Royal and Richards.
That proved to be a double-edged sword. Petersen is yet to keep a clean sheet, proving not to be too much different to the leaking and now injured Fiacre Ntwari.
There’s been a breath of fresh air for not only Mthethwa, but Du Preez as well though. The latter scored in both games, taking his tally to two goals in seven matches.
Du Preez’s return among the goal doesn’t only augur well for the team but Chiefs’ fans, especially having booed Ranga Chivaviro, for missing chances early in the season, already.
A lethal Du Preez could also prove to be useful for Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos especially going into the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Morocco next year.
But Du Preez and Co can’t look too far. They have a job to compete against City who’ve shown that last season’s heroics, which included a top eight finish, was by no means a fluke.
After narrowly losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 quarter-final early in the season, Phuti Mohafe steered his team to a win over the champions of the land in the Betway Premiership.
Sure, the Brazilians would have the last laugh in the last fixture, but City are showing that when they are at their best on the day, they could prove to be ruthless.
Their impressive form hasn’t only been guided by Mohafe, but players such Oswin Appollis, Thabang Matuludi and Sammy Seabi are the driving force behind the team’s run.
Appollis and Matuludi will want to continue with their giant slaying performance against the biggest clubs in hope of marketing their services to them ahead of the January transfer window.
But while the duo will be looking to bring down Chiefs after doing so with the champions, they’ll come up against a bunch of motivated players who are eager to get praise from Nabi.