Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi expresses frustration over a controversial last-minute penalty decision that handed Orlando Pirates a dramatic 1-0 victory in the Soweto Derby.

Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi was left fuming after a controversial last-minute penalty decision handed Orlando Pirates a dramatic 1-0 victory in the highly anticipated Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The Tunisian tactician, clearly upset by the officiating, stated that he wouldn’t comment further on the referee’s decision, urging fans to judge for themselves.

Nabi’s frustration stemmed from the late penalty awarded to Pirates in the dying seconds of the match, which was calmly converted by Patrick Maswanganyi with a panenka in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

During his post-match interview, Nabi’s assistant coach, Cedric Kaze, translated his sentiments, where the coach declared the game should have ended as a goalless draw.

He felt the penalty was unjust and didn’t reflect the flow of the game, where Chiefs had matched Pirates blow for blow in a tightly contested encounter.

Nabi expressed that the Chiefs had put up a strong defensive performance, frustrating Pirates’ attacking efforts, particularly their long ball game.

Despite the result, Nabi believed Chiefs deserved at least a draw for their efforts and were unfortunate to leave the field without a point.

The game proved to be a challenging debut for Nabi as the Chiefs’ head coach, but despite the loss, he remained positive about his team’s overall performance. He praised the players for their fighting spirit and the intensity they brought to the match.

While the loss was tough to swallow, Nabi took pride in the team’s commitment and the football they displayed, noting that the fans had witnessed a solid 90 minutes of action.

The coach was also pleased with the way Chiefs had managed to disrupt Pirates’ rhythm, making it difficult for them to break through.

However, Nabi was not prepared to let the controversial penalty decision slide. He made it clear that he would no longer comment on what he referred to as “this kind of refereeing,” leaving the judgment of the penalty to others.

With the final whistle signaling defeat, the Chiefs’ coach expressed that he had hoped for more from the match, especially considering how competitive the game had been until the very last moment.

Despite the disappointment of the result, Nabi remained upbeat about the team’s potential and vowed to continue building on the positives from this intense derby encounter.

As the Chiefs now look ahead, they will have to regroup and prepare for their next challenge, but the lingering bitterness from this penalty decision is sure to fuel their determination to bounce back stronger.

The Soweto Derby, known for its fierce rivalry and high stakes, once again proved to be a thrilling spectacle, albeit with a controversial ending that left a sour taste in the mouths of Kaizer Chiefs and their supporters.