Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has opened up on how he handled the issue of Ranga Chivaviro after supporters were calling for his substitution before he scored in a 4-0 win over SuperSport United in the Carling Knockout.
Chiefs progressed to the quarter-finals of the tournament thanks to goals by Gaston Sirino, Yusuf Maart, Ranga Chivaviro and Ashley Du Preez.
However, Amakhosi went to the break with only a 1-0 lead and Nabi has revealed what was their challenge in the first stanza.
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"It's true that we were not very good in the first-half. We had to make tactical adjustments in the second-half but it's a cup game, you don't play, you need just to win it," Nabi said on SuperSport TV via the translator.
"It seems like SuperSport have done their homework for this game, especially [because] we had difficulties in our build-up, in the first-half, they put pressure on our two holding midfielders, who usually are the link between the defence and attacking players.
"But we had to make the tactical adjustment in the second-half, instead of going through the middle but going through the wide areas, which were a little bit empty on SuperSport's side," the Tunisian said.
Chivaviro missed a number of big chances and Chiefs supporters were whistling for his substitution with Amakhosi 2-0 up.
However, the former Marumo Gallants striker eventually scored 17 minutes before time and his celebrations were subdued, as he ran towards Nabi to acknowledge his support for not substituting him.
"For Ranga Chivaviro, you know sometimes when a striker misses is not easy but this is football. I don't need the emotional reaction like the fans, my responsibility is to support my player," the former AS FAR Rabat mentor said on keeping Chivaviro for longer on the field.
"I push him, I promise he will score," Nabi said.