Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi leapt to the defence of 19 year-old left back Nkosana Mbuthu, after his error helped Young Africans cruise to a 4-0 win over Amakhosi in the Toyota Cup at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Mbuthu, the son of former Chiefs midfielder Patrick Mbuthu, was a surprise choice to face the Tanzianian side in Chiefs first pre-season match on home soil. And he gave away possession on the stroke of half time in a dangerous area, with Aziz Ki ultimately pouncing to put Young Africans 2-0 up.
Mbuthu is a young player, I am sure he is a big player in the future, Nabi told SuperSport TV after the game.
I dont have a left back at this moment and he is a left back. He was loose in this game, if he was not loose now, he would be loose in an official game. I will not push him out, I want to give him confidence. To be loose for one goal is normal, if I take him out I kill him .. it is my responsibility to protect him.
Great things happenedNabi added that he was happy with certain elements of his teams display despite the heavy loss.
