Arthur Zwane praises Kiazer Chief youngsters in ‘very good tempo’ game against Maritzburg United
Kaizer Chiefs boss Arthur Zwane has praised the club’s youngsters after Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Maritzburg United. Chiefs’ hopes of breaking their league drought in Eight years now hit the rock after suffering 1-0 defeat against Royal AM in first game of the Dstv Premiership.
Arthur Zwane was smart to get his side on the track in their second game of the season beating Maritzburg United on Tuesday to keep the heat on title favourites Mamelodi Sundowns whom the two giants meet over the weekend. Thanks to goals from new signing Ashley du Preez, Keagan Dolly and youngster Mduduzi Shabalala that handed Kaizer Chiefs their first win of the 2022-2023 season.
After the game, Arthur Zwane who was appointed a Chiefs boss prior to the season has praised his youngsters who helped his men beat one of the best teams in the South African top flight Maritzburg United.
Kaizer Chiefs played in a high tempo descried by Arthur Zwane as ‘good’ despite his side not ending the game the most dominant force with Maritzburg earning 52% of ball possession against Chiefs’ 48%. It’s a results of Simphiwe Sithebe’s high pressing that got Kaizer Chiefs their second goal of the game after Keagan Dolly struck into the net from outside the box for his first goal of the season.
Youngsters Nkosingiphile Nhlakanipho Ngcobo, Njabulo Blom and Mduduzi Shabalala were introduced into the game later and their displays appear to catch the attention of boss Zwane. Shabalala, 18, kept a good work rate to tap home Khama Billiat’s brilliant low ball across the area.
Nhlakanipho Ngcobo solidified the midfield whilst Njabulo Blom’s effort got Kaizer Chiefs a clean sheet- something that Zwane has become proud of after revealing it in his post match interview.
“Sometimes football is a funny game, I think the past week we played very well but lost the game. Today we played in patches and we were clinical in front of goal, there could have been more goals but am proud of mostly the youngsters”, Arthur Zwane told reporters in post match interview.
“We came on and kept the same very tempo in the second half, took the game to our opponents but because we were a bit worried. We dropped the tempo at some point to allow Maritzburg back into the game and their confidence grew and they could have scored at any giving time from dead-ball situations or open play”, the coach said.
Zwane has been aware of Maritzburg’s opposition through the game pouring credit on his rivals lead by Malawian tactician John Maduka.
“I must give credit to their team, they have a very good team and a good coach but it wasn’t to be in terms of them getting a goal today but I think our defense did very well. The defense did well, what is important today is keeping a clean sheet, Bruce Bvuma also did well but there are some few errors he needs to work on”, he continued.
The Chiefs’ boss has anticipated a tough season ahead and its immediate evidence comes this Saturday when the Glamour Boys make a tricky trip to face title favourites Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. He suggested that the Maritzburg game came as a good preparations for Saturday’s bigger clash.
“Going forward it’s never going to be easy, we still have a long way to go. It’s good that today’s game is part of the rebuilding phase but we are still grinding results.
“This game (against Maritzburg United today) for us is like an ice breaker, it was more like a confidence booster for my boys (ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns) because we treat all the games the same, we are playing against a team that is doing very well at the moment.
“We will see how we manage the squad for Sundowns game because we could see some of the boys couldn’t finished the game and that is our worrying effect right now. But we have got some other young boys that are willing to go in there that are showing eagerness and commitment that are willing to go out there and show their best, Zwane concluded.
Kaizer Chiefs sit second place with 3 points on the Dstv Premiership tale after week 2 as the rest of PSL matchday 2 fixtures take place tomorrow Wednesday.
