Nasreddine Nabi has revealed what he believes is the only challenge slowing down rising star Wandile Duba, who was on the score sheet to help Kaizer Chiefs defeat Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs are through to their first final in six years after dumping Sundowns out of the Nedbank Cup with a 2-1 scoreline at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, thus setting up a dream final with archrivals Orlando Pirates.
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They had to rally back after conceding on the stroke of half-time from an unstoppable Teboho Mokoena. Coming back into the second half showing more intent, Amakhosi were rewarded when Duba latched onto a sloppy pass from Lucas Suarez to coolly finish past Ronwen Williams.
It was then Ashley Du Preez with the winner in the dying minutes, sending the Gold and Black section of the crowd into a frenzy.
For Duba, fresh off a knee injury, it was a sixth of the season in 21 appearances. It was also the second goal in as many matches, having netted n a 1-1 league draw against TS Galaxy a week prior.
That tally of six is already higher than what strikers Ranga Chivaviro (5), Tashreeq Morris (0) and Ashley du Preez (5) have managed thus far this term.
Those kinds of numbers raise the question of whether the 20-year-old is ready to be the side's leading man up front.
Speaking to media at the post-match press conference after the win against Sundowns, Nabi heaped praise on the youngster.
"Regarding Duba, I think he has a lot of qualities, physical qualities, technical qualities," Nabi said.
"The only problem that we work on every time with Duba is that Duba has a mentality problem. You know how younger players are, when he starts to play [often] and with a lot of fans like Kaizer Chiefs, fans is always he’s not 100% ready mentally."
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"So, for that, we are trying to work through that. From last season, I think he had a lot of progress to make, and he can make it, why not? If he gives us solutions as a first or second striker next season, [Then he will be Chiefs' number one striker]," added the gaffer.
The final is at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10 with the two Soweto giants locking horns a week before that to settle league matter.s.
