After the first league loss: What did Nasreddine Beni tell his players?

Africa 17 September 2025 at 13:11

Hazem Mlhem

News Editor

Kaizer Chiefs manager Nasreddine Nabi kept journalists waiting after his side's first league defeat of the season, following an extended post-match team talk in the dressing room. The Tunisian tactician saw his team's unbeaten start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign come to an abrupt end with a 3-1 loss to Sekhukhune United at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The result not only halted Chiefs' five-match unbeaten run—which had included four victories and a draw—but also shattered the team's perfect defensive record. Having maintained five consecutive clean sheets prior to the match, Amakhosi conceded three goals from defensive errors, allowing Sekhukhune United to claim a decisive victory.

What did Nasreddine Nabi say to his players?

Nabi emphasized the need for his team to move past the Sekhukhune defeat and focus on their upcoming continental commitment, stressing the importance of learning from their errors.

Addressing the players in a post-match talk, he framed the loss as an isolated incident. "I just spoke to the players and told them that an accident can happen like tonight," he stated, "but what we need to see is a reaction."

He highlighted the unique challenge of African competition, noting its knockout format requires a distinct mentality. "We need to deal with it in a very different approach," Nabi explained, urging his squad to "learn from the mistakes we made and concentrate better for the next game."