Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi says Tashreeq Morris’ early sub due to an injury affected their game plan as he was giving Mamelodi Sundowns defenders no time to rest. 

The former SuperSport United striker suffered a serious injury early in the first half in a 1-0 loss to Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, which forced Nabi to substitute him and introduce Ashley Du Preez. 

Despite that Du Preez was introduced after 25 minutes, Nabi decided to substitute the former Stellenbosch attacker in the 87th minute for Ranga Chivaviro. 

“I will say that [Morris’ Injury] affected us negatively, because he is a striker that can give you a lot of good things. He is a good presser, he doesn’t give up and give the defenders no rest,” Nabi said. 

“After he came out, I think you saw that the centre-backs were a little bit so comfortable all the time. He is a classic nine that can give you a lot, he can play the ball and can give your team a time to go up and take positions to attack. 

 “He is a player that when you make those crosses can come inside the box. He is someone that can finish it and I think his injury impacted our plan today.” 

Meanwhile, Chiefs defender Edmilson Dove played his first game of the season under Nabi on Saturday following his recovery from injury. Nabi added that he is happy about how Dove played. 

“I have to congratulate Dove because it’s not easy to get into this kind of game, and play 90 minutes with the intensity that the game was,” Nabi said. 

“After eight months of injury, it requires a lot of mindset and also a big character of a player. Defensively, I think he gave us a very good balance and offensively he did well.

“He managed to finish the 90 minutes, and he is a player that haven’t played a lot but since December he’s been training with his teammates. I think we saw that on Saturday his hard work paid off.” 

Dove will be hoping to play his second game when Amakhosi face Magesi in the Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Tuesday. These two sides played a 2-2 draw in the first round last year in Polokwane.