Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has reiterated his CAF Confederation Cup ambitions after his troops booked a place in the Nedbank Cup semifinals at the weekend.
The Soweto giants defeated Stellenbosch FC 3-1 at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Inacio Miguel, Pule Mmodi and Mfundo Vilakazi found the back of the net for Chiefs, while Andre de Jong scored what proved to be the consolation goal for Stellies.
Chiefs will now take on the winner of the quarterfinal match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Sekhukhune United. The game was set to be staged on Saturday but postpined affter the Lucas Moripe Stadum was double booked. It remains unclear as to when Chiefs will learn their semis opponents.
The Nedbank Cup is now the only realistic trophy Amakhosi can win this season under the guidance of the Tunisian coach – Nabi.
Addressing the media after Chiefs win against Stellies, Nabi expressed how it was important for the club to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup. They can quality by winning the Nedbank Cup.
“It’s true that it’s now two games away from the trophy. But the only thing that we have to think about is the next game,” said Nabi.
“The next game is the semifinal. If you don’t pass through it, you can’t be close to the cup. It’s true that our ambition is to go all the way. But we are taking it game by game and the next game will be a semifinal.”
Nabi added: “It’s true that our will is to go to the CAF Confederation [Cup] next season. It’s very important for a big club like Kaizer Chiefs to be on the continental scene.
“But also for the league, we have to play all the way because the league can give us the opportunity to go to CAF, but the process first.
A second place finish in the league will see Chiefs play in the CAF Champions League next season. But they are currently 11 points behind Orlando Pirates, who are second on the log and have three games in hand.