Nabi shuts down Sundowns’ fatigue claims

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi wasted no time shutting down any talk of fatigue from Mamelodi Sundowns after their 0-0 draw at a packed FNB Stadium on Wednesday night.

While Sundowns’ gruelling 2024/25 season—which saw them compete in the CAF Champions League final and four domestic competitions—and their recent trip to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup left them with a shortened pre-season, Nabi suggested that’s no excuse.

After all, he argued, the Brazilians have enough depth to manage a packed schedule.

“It’s a fact that there is fatigue,” Nabi said at the post-match press conference after the Betway Premiership tie against Sundowns.

“They played two days ago [against Orlando Pirates] and at the FIFA Club World Cup; they didn’t have a proper pre-season. But we know all the number of players and the quality they have. It’s easy for them to replace players who are not fatigued.”

Despite Sundowns’ inconsistent start to the new season, Nabi felt his team should have taken all three points from the rivalry match.

“Looking at the game, the first half was not very good, but the opportunities were created,” he added. “In the second half, with a more aggressive approach, the number of times we got into their box, I believe that without lacking respect to the opponents, we lost two points.”

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