Kaizer Chiefs may appear to be making steady progress, but coach Nasreddine Nabi believes they have dropped crucial points.

He emphasizes that this is a building process and requires time, as he arrived during the off-season and is focused on establishing a lasting culture at the club.

Nabi, tasked with reversing the struggles of last season under Molefi Ntseki and Cavin Johnson, has led Chiefs to sixth place with 25 points after 17 matches. However, their defense has been a concern, conceding 19 goals, making them the joint-third worst team in this category, alongside second-from-bottom Magesi FC.

The 25 points accumulated this season matches their total at the same stage last term, indicating no improvement in points gained. This leaves Nabi lamenting missed opportunities.

“In terms of results, we believe we should or we could have done better,” said Nabi, whose side won against Stellenbosch on Friday.

“We feel that they are points that we dropped and that were in our hands that we could have won more points until now. 

“Some games we feel were in our control that we could have done better and we didn’t end up having the three points, that is the first thing. 

“We feel that, in terms of points, we should have had more than what we have right now. 

“Second thing is about the project – it involves a lot of things. You need to build a culture into the team, tactical culture, the behaviour of everything in and out of the field as well. Every time if there is an opportunity in the transfer window get the opportunity to strengthen the team. 

“We feel that we are in the right way, even if we are not consistence because we feel we should have had a left-back that is specialist in his position, the one that plays there.  

“But overall, we believe that going to the end of the season, we are heading in the right space with the right ingredients to do something good.”

Nabi was speaking on Thursday ahead of the Nedbank Cup round of 16 clash against Chippa United at FNB Stadium on Saturday (18:00).

The two teams last met in this competition in the 2018/19 season’s semifinal, where Chiefs won 4-2 in Gqeberha. Chiefs ultimately lost the final to then-Motsepe Foundation Championship side TS Galaxy at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Galaxy made history by becoming the first second-tier team to win the competition in South African club football.