Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has cleared the air regarding the controversial late substitution of Thabo Cele and the absence of defender Inacio Miguel during their 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership.
Despite taking an early lead, Chiefs were unable to maintain their advantage, conceding twice to suffer their 12th league defeat of the season, matching their worst-ever record for most losses in a single PSL campaign. To make matters worse, this defeat also marked Pirates’ league double over Chiefs this season.
Late Cele Substitution Raises Eyebrows
Thabo Cele’s late introduction, with just 13 minutes remaining, left many fans questioning the timing. Why wait so long to bring on a player who had impressed since his January arrival?
Nabi addressed the concerns, explaining that Cele had been recovering from an injury and wasn’t fully fit to start or play a full 90 minutes:
“For Cele, he is coming from an injury, and he hasn’t fully trained. That’s why he wasn’t fully fit to start the game or play the 90 minutes,” Nabi said.
Although not fully match-fit, Cele made an impact after coming off the bench, replacing Nkosingiphile Ngcobo. Since his arrival, Cele has become an important player for the team, with 14 appearances across all competitions.
Inacio Miguel’s Absence Explained
Inacio Miguel’s absence from the match raised further questions, especially with his usual role as a central defensive presence. Some speculated that Nabi was resting key players ahead of the upcoming Nedbank Cup final. However, Nabi confirmed that Miguel’s omission was due to fitness concerns, not tactical choices:
“About Inacio, it is the same thing, he is coming from an injury. And he wasn’t really fully fit to give a 100 per cent performance.”
Miguel, who has captained Chiefs this season and played 24 games, was missed in defense as the team struggled under pressure, particularly after Bradley Cross was sent off in added time.
Looking Ahead: Nedbank Cup Rematch
The focus now shifts to the Nedbank Cup semi-final, where Chiefs and Pirates will meet again on Saturday, May 10 at Moses Mabhida Stadium. With both Cele and Miguel potentially regaining fitness, Nabi faces a critical decision to ensure Chiefs are ready for redemption and can reignite their fight in this high-stakes match.
