Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi expresses frustration after a last-minute penalty hands Orlando Pirates a 1-0 win in his first Soweto Derby.

Kaizer Chiefs’ coach Nasreddine Nabi experienced a bitter taste of defeat in his first Soweto Derby on Saturday, as a last-minute penalty handed Orlando Pirates a 1-0 win at the FNB Stadium.

Despite his side’s strong performance, Nabi was left disheartened, as a match that seemed destined for a draw was decided by the controversial penalty awarded in stoppage time.

Patrick Maswanganyi calmly converted the spot-kick with a panenka finish, sending Pirates into a dramatic victory that left Chiefs and their coach stunned.

Nabi’s Kaizer Chiefs started the match with a solid belief and confidence, something that has been noticeably missing from the team in recent years.

The players showed up with a fierce determination, matching Pirates’ technical play, and even outplayed them at times. The match began with a bang for Chiefs as Pule Mmodi had a glorious chance to give them the lead in the opening minutes.

However, his one-on-one opportunity with Pirates’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma went wide, a miss that would later prove to be a significant moment in the game.

Although Pirates, who had been in excellent form, especially in their CAF Champions League campaign, did show some class, they didn’t appear to be the dominant force they had been in their earlier victories.

Chiefs seemed to have identified weaknesses in the Pirates’ setup and executed their game plan with precision. Nabi’s sideline presence was energetic, and his management of the game in his first derby was commendable.

He didn’t show panic even when Pirates began to enjoy more possession in the second half. His calm demeanor was a reflection of his belief in the team’s strategy.

Despite Pirates’ superiority at times, Chiefs continued to hold their ground. Nabi’s side appeared to have weathered the storm, with solid defensive performances and the occasional attacking break. But as the game entered injury time, disaster struck.

In a moment that would leave both Nabi and the Chiefs supporters in disbelief, referee Masixole Bambiso awarded a penalty to Pirates after a tackle on Relebohile Mofokeng in the box.

Chiefs’ Njabulo Blom was the culprit, seemingly pulling Mofokeng back in the penalty area, and Maswanganyi stepped up to seal the match.

For Nabi, the loss was gut-wrenching. In his post-match comments, he expressed frustration at the manner of the defeat. “We played with belief and confidence, and that’s why it’s so frustrating to lose in these circumstances,” he said.

Although disappointed by the outcome, Nabi was quick to praise his players for their effort and their ability to challenge Pirates, who were the heavy favorites going into the derby.

“We gave them problems,” he said, noting that Chiefs had at times been the more assertive team on the pitch.

Despite the crushing defeat, Nabi remained focused on the future. “We have another game coming up against AmaZulu,” he said, referring to the short turnaround for Chiefs.

He refused to dwell on the controversial penalty decision, instead praising the team’s growth under his leadership. “We are improving,” Nabi remarked. “This game was very tactical, and it was unfortunate to lose in this manner.”

The heartbreak was clear on Nabi’s face, especially after the team’s valiant efforts throughout the match. Many felt that a draw would have been a fair reflection of the game, but in football, as Nabi aptly put it, “it’s never over until the final whistle.”

He acknowledged the quality of the Pirates’ performance but maintained that, based on the balance of play, Chiefs had deserved at least a point from the game.

As the final whistle blew and the stadium erupted in celebrations for Pirates, Nabi’s stoic expression revealed the weight of the loss. His first Soweto Derby, one of South African football’s most intense and fiercely contested fixtures, had ended in defeat, but Nabi’s resolve remained.

With the team’s next match just days away, he knows that there’s always another opportunity to bounce back, and he remains focused on the bigger picture.