Kaizer Chiefs coach Nasreddine Nabi has explained why he substituted Bradley Cross after just 30 minutes in his side’s 2-1 win over Stellenbosch FC.
Amakhosi had to come from a goal down to collect all three points and move into fifth place.
But early in the game Chiefs struggled, especially down their left flank, which resulted in Nabi taking off Cross – along with the injured Ashley Du Preez – after just 30 minutes, replacing them with Tebogo Potsane and Mfundo Vilakazi.
Nabi, who had started the game with a back-three, cited confusion due to the new system as reason for the early substitution.
“Congratulations to the players, it’s not easy to come back from a goal down,” he told SuperSport TV.
“We started well the first five minutes, we had control but we noticed that there was a little bit confusion with the system of a back-three, which gave the opportunity to the opponent to take control of the game and to have even more possession.
“That’s why we made the tactical change by taking off the left-back and put on a winger.
“It’s not easy against such a good team like Stellenbosch to come back from behind, and to score two. That requires character, and today we had it.
“Credit to the players.”
