With Josef Zinnbauer's Raja Club Athletic having won a cup final against FAR Rabat on Monday, the former Orlando Pirates boss has admitted it was always a fight competing against Kaizer Chiefs-bound Nasreddine Nabi.
On Monday, Raja claimed a 2-1 victory over Rabat in the final of the Moroccan Throne Cup.
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The game was Nabi's final match in charge of Rabat, with the tactician widely expected to take over at Kaizer Chiefs ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Tunisian tactician has now concluded his Moroccan stint after facing another familiar name to South African football, former Bucs boss Zinnbauer, who has lavished praise on the incumbent Amakhosi coach.
Speaking after the Throne Cup final, Zinnbauer admitted that Nabi was a really tough opponent throughout the campaign.
"I have to be honest, Nabi made a good job with his team… it was always a fight, the whole season," the German tactician said post-match.
"Tactically, it was very difficult for us today, but we have the quality in the team and we knew it.
"Today was amazing for us, especially against Rabat because to win a title is not easy.
"So compliments to my team and compliments to Rabat."
Josef Zinnbauer at the mix zone:
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) July 1, 2024
"I must be honest, Nabi made a good job with his team. It was always a fight all season. Tactically, it was very difficult for us."
?? - Elbotola #AfricanFootball #DimaRaja pic.twitter.com/RAR7bjlGQp
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Nabi, meanwhile, has apologised to the Rabat supporters after losing the final.
According to Goal's Austin Ditlhobolo, he said: "I apologise to the Royal Army fans for losing the second title in a short period of time. I was trying to make them happy, but we did not succeed," he said in a post-match press conference.
The Belgian-Tunisian mentor then confirmed his Rabat exit, adding: "I wanted to continue my career with the Royal Army, but life has other things in store for us.
"God willing, we will meet in the future. It was a strong season for the players, and I demanded a lot from them. Perhaps they were tired."
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