Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi expressed his joy and gratitude after his team’s 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The win marked the end of a 10-year trophy drought for Amakhosi, who last won a trophy in 2015 under coach Stuart Baxter.

“Firstly, I’m very happy for the fans, the man above, and the Chairman, Dr. Kaizer Motaung, for believing in me,” Nabi said in the post-match interview on SABC Sport.

“But for me, I’m still sticking to the process because the process will help me and the club. I’m happy for the victory, but the process is still here, and I’m going home with a victory.”

Nabi praised his team’s resilience, particularly after Orlando Pirates equalized and seemed to gain control of the game.

“We felt that we were losing control of the game, but at half-time, we tried to correct that by positioning our players and having better concentration on our pressing,” he explained.

The introduction of Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Ashley Du Preez proved to be a masterstroke, according to Nabi.

“We felt that when we introduced Mthethwa, Shabalala, and Du Preez, we got more balance and confidence going forward,” he said.

“I’m happy that we managed to score the winning goal, and it means we made our subs very well.”

The victory was a sweet redemption for Chiefs, who lost in the Nedbank Cup final to TS Galaxy at the same venue in 2019. Nabi’s side also won the MTN 8 Cup in 2015, beating Orlando Pirates in the final.

The win will undoubtedly boost the morale of the team and its fans, who have been waiting for a trophy for over a decade. Nabi’s emphasis on sticking to the process suggests that the team is committed to building on this success and continuing to improve.

As the team celebrates its victory, Nabi’s words of gratitude to the fans, the chairman, and the Almighty will resonate with many. The victory is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this momentum in the future.

With the 10-year trophy drought now behind them, Kaizer Chiefs can look forward to a brighter future under Nabi’s guidance.