Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi openly criticized his players, particularly Mdu Shabalala for a missed opportunity, following the club’s goalless draw against Cape Town City in the Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

Nabi stated that missing easy chances is unacceptable for a Kaizer Chiefs player, emphasizing that the club, historically known for its star players and clinical finishing, is currently far from that standard.

Shabalala, after successfully intercepting a pass from Nathan Fasika, had a clear scoring opportunity before halftime but shot wide. Nabi reacted with visible frustration and disbelief at the missed chance.

Dillan Solomons also squandered an opportunity during a rare Chiefs attack on the right flank, dragging his shot wide after a well-weighted pass from Nkosingiphile Ngcobo.

Chiefs were seeking revenge after losing to Cape Town City in the reverse fixture in January, which was Muhsin Ertugral’s first game in charge at DHL Stadium, where Darwin Gonzalez scored the only goal.

In the second half, Glody Lilepo, who has impressed since joining in the January transfer window, came close to scoring with a dipping shot from the edge of the box, but the ball struck the crossbar.

“The game is finished, we need more responsibility from our players, from our staff, more responsibility for Kaizer Chiefs,” Nabi said on SuperSport TV.

“We are in this position because we lose too many points like that. We control the game, we create chances, but don’t score.

“In those moments, you need to be clinical. Come on, it’s Kaizer Chiefs. It’s not possible [to miss those chances], it’s Kaizer Chiefs.

“I say, okay, we lose the points today, but we have a game on the weekend [against Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon]. We need three points this week, but it’s never easy. No game is easy; all the teams play like that.

“Maybe another team with more quality attacks [more]. We need more; we need more. Every player must remember it’s a big responsibility to play for Kaizer Chiefs.

“If we give him five minutes, if we give him 10 minutes, he must sacrifice himself on the pitch.”