Nasreddine Nabi returns to face Cardoso in bench duel of heavyweights

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns face off on Wednesday night in a clash that feels bigger than just three points. 

For Chiefs, it marks the long-awaited return of coach Nasreddine Nabi to the dugout after missing the first three matches of the season due to family commitments. 

For Sundowns, it is about redemption after crashing out of the MTN8 semi-finals against Orlando Pirates, a setback that has placed Portuguese coach Cardoso under immediate scrutiny.

Tactical Philosophies

Nabi’s arrival last season brought structure, intensity and a belief that Chiefs could compete at the very top again. His emphasis on compact defending and quick transitions has already carried the Glamour Boys to a perfect start — three wins from three, all without conceding a goal. 

That he has not been physically present for those matches makes their start even more remarkable. His return on Wednesday adds another layer of anticipation, as supporters will finally see him actively directing from the technical area.

Cardoso was said to be the perfect recruit for the Brazilians, as he is the ideal leader to maintain and drive forward the shoeshine and piano style the club is best known for. 

Under Cardoso, the team plays out from the back, with goalkeepers needing to be good footballers. Together with the centre-backs, they act as the beatmakers and initiators of the team’s build-up play, which later progresses to the midfielders and forwards.

The duel on Wednesday is not just about points; it is about philosophies colliding. Chiefs’ compact and disciplined approach under Nabi meets Sundowns’ possession-heavy system under Cardoso. 

Current Form & Pressure

Chiefs’ 100% record this season has come without their head coach present, but his influence is undeniable. Players have bought into his methods and the Nedbank Cup triumph last season has built belief. 

With Nabi finally on the touchline, expectations are heightened. Victory over Sundowns would not only extend their winning run but also send a strong message that Chiefs are back as genuine challengers to CAF spots 

For any other coach, a start with seven points from nine in the league would be acceptable. But for a team that has won the league in the last eight seasons, it is simply not good enough for Sundowns. 

Part of the concern comes from how those points were earned, but the loss to Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-finals has intensified the pressure. Now, securing a result against an unbeaten Chiefs has become an urgent necessity for Cardoso, who also has to deliver at least one trophy to go with the league and CAF Champions League.

What’s at Stake

For Nabi, Wednesday is about putting his stamp back on Chiefs’ campaign and proving their flying start is no coincidence. His return will be closely scrutinized — can he inspire from the bench the same way his philosophy has guided them from afar?

It is just five games after everyone sang the praises of the team’s success at the Fifa Club World Cup earlier this year, and mind you, it’s five games without a loss, barring the penalty shootout. 

Such are the standards the team has, and with fans having clearly lost faith over some of his selections and tactics, a bad result against Chiefs might not yet cost him his job, but it will pile up more pressure—not just on him, but on a team that is on the ropes both on and off the field.