Clubs make it difficult for us to get players - Zwane.

While his Kaizer Chiefs future hangs in the balance after his disastrous debut season as head coach, Arthur Zwane is quietly going about the business of planning for next season.

Chiefs finished fifth with 12 defeats in the DStv Premiership in what was yet another season without a trophy.

Inconsistency, schoolboy defensive errors, and the inability to find the back of the net plagued Amakhosi's season, to the frustration of the die hard supporters.

'Zwane must go chants', and an attack on him after the SuperSport United loss have done nothing to dumpen the Amakhosi head coach's spirits, instead he is more determined to turn things around.

Part of his plans is to get quality players to bolster his squad, with Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, and Given Msimango already secured from SuperSport and TS Galaxy respectively.

"We have identified a few indviduals, and some we managed to get while some the team are still trying to make sure that they get them," said Zwane as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/arthur-zwane-hoping-new-kaizer-chiefs-signings-hit-the-ground-running

"But, again, it boils down to one thing, as you said, can they cope with the pressure of playing for a team of Kaizer Chiefs' calibre? And, look, it leaves one with thinking a lot.

"This is a season in which we've learnt a lot from, in terms of bringing in players, and also releasing certain players, and as much as there were negatives, there were also a lot of positives that can help us moving forward. 

"And, we will see who we bring on board to come and help the team."

ALSO READ: Zwane on his first season as Kaizer Chiefs head coach: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/im-believer-im-hard-worker-zwane.html?m=1

Zwane has bemoaned the fact that clubs are hellbent on making things difficult for Chiefs when they want to sign their players, but says the club has to find a way to secure their targets.

"It's a case of quality. If quality is available then we go [for it]. You know it's always been a difficult situation for the club, whenever we look for players and approach other teams, they make it difficult for us to get that player," he added.

"Because obviously, the competition is also very stiff, so we just have to find a way."

I'm a believer, I'm a hard worker - Zwane.

Under fire Kaizer Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane, who calls himself a believer and a hard worker, says football has taught him to have a thick skin and a big heart.

Zwane led Chiefs to a fifth place finish in the DStv Premiership on his maiden season as a head coach.

It was, to say the least, a turbulent debut season for Zwane, which ended in total disaster, with the coach attacked by supporters after losing to SuperSport United.

To top it all off, Chiefs lost four of their last five league games, which meant they lost 12 matches in total in the league.

A believer Zwane might be, but it is hard to believe that Chiefs management will still believe in him to lead their revival process next season.

"I'm a believer, I'm a hard worker. If there's one thing that football taught me is never be in the game if you don't have a big heart. In football, you develop a thick skin. I'm not the first one that has been in this situation. I've seen coaches struggle in their first season then they come up different in the following season," said Zwane as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/i-ve-developed-a-thick-skin-says-underfire-kaizer-chiefs-coach

Perhaps, what Zwane says next doesn't align with what Amakhosi are as an institution.

For an ambitious club like Chiefs, a coach doesn't necessarily get to have a 'learning season'.

Even Xavi of Barcelona fame had to go and learn somewhere else before he came back to lead his former club to league glory.

ALSO READ: Gundogan ready to lift two more trophies: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/my-arms-are-ready-to-lift-two-more.html?m=1

"It was more like a learning season for me for the fact that me now being the head coach, making decisions. Obviously with the help of other technical team members but I've always been this supporting member of the team. Supporting other coaches that have been here before."

Is he going or staying? That is the question. But as things stand, to stay might come with more tears. 

We never put them there to fail - Bobby Motaung on Zwane and Sheppard.

Kaizer Chiefs football manager, Bobby Motaung, has hinted on a possible technical team addition for next season.

Chiefs, who are currently fourth on the Dstv Premiership, have had another disappointing, trophy less season.

Finishing outside of the top three will also mean missing out on continental football.

Amakhosi struggled with inconsistency, poor finishing, and glaring defensive errors this season, some of the factors that led to their desperate state.

Head coach, Arthur Zwane, and his assistant, Dillon Sheppard, have shouldered most of the criticism directed at the club's performances, with some sections of Chiefs fans believing they are out of their depth.

The feeling has been that they need an extra hand from an experienced coach to help them on the bench.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Bobby Motaung said their season review will guide their decision on how they can support the technical team, with additions made where necessary.

"Obviously, we're doing a review in terms of support, we need to support them. We never put them there to fail, we put them there to develop and help them grow," Motaung told SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/kaizer-chiefs-to-assess-gaps-in-technical-team-led-by-coach-arthur-zwane-bobby-motaung

"I think, when we do our review at the end of the season, we'll see where we need to beef up and where we need to support, and as I said, we're also learning from the challenges of this season.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/05/we-cant-lose-to-supersport-no-matter.html?m=1

"We are definitely going to make sure that we assist and add more value to the [technical] staff and the players."

This has been our disease - Zwane on Chiefs missing chances.

No team in the Dstv Premiership comes close to Mamelodi Sundowns when it comes to creating big goal scoring chances than Kaizer Chiefs.

But the difference is Sundowns converts their chances, while Chiefs are struggling.

That has been one of Chiefs' head coach, Arthur Zwane's headaches.

Going to their next match against Swallows FC, Zwane will be hoping his players bring their scoring boots and find the back of the net several times, something that will give them confidence for another Soweto derby on May 6.

While not scoring as much as they create opportunities, Zwane believes his side will eventually find their scoring touch.

"Look it’s the nature of the game, I don’t think there’s any player that wants to go onto the field and miss chances you know deliberately, they tried their best," Zwane said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/zwane-on-mashiane-recall-wasteful-chiefs/

"On another day, they will get it right and score more than two, three, or four, and it’s coming. the only thing we have to do as a technical team is keep on believing in them and encouraging them to do the right things."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/sundowns-mokwena-have-earned-cr.html?m=1

Zwane says missing valuable chances has been Chiefs' biggest disease this season, and he is right.

While a team like Sundowns, with an xGF (expected goals for) of 1.89 has managed to turn the big chances they create into goals, not the same can be said for Chiefs, despite an impressive xGF of 1.73.

"You must have seen this has been our disease, the story of our season, missing chances – it could have been a different story on the log, if we take maybe half the chances we created," Zwane added.

"But having said that I can’t falter the players effort, they did everything right it’s just that missing link of being clinical in front of goals."

The effort and attitude were second to none - Zwane on Chippa win.

Kaizer Chiefs kept their Caf Champions League spot hopes alive with a 1-0 over Chippa United at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursady afternoon.

Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane, believes it is the way they started the match that was the catalyst for their victory.

It was Ashley Du Preez who fired Amakhosi to victory with a well taken curler in the 72nd minute.

"I think we came into this game knowing we’re coming against a team that is going to make our life difficult as they are fighting for their lives," Zwane said after the game as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/zwane-chiefs-not-giving-up-cafcl-hopes/

"It was never going to be an easy game but if there’s one thing we did right today, is how we started the game – we dictated terms, we showed intention, showed we wanted to win the game, we had a few early chances we didn’t take but the effort and attitude were second to none.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/at-sundowns-you-have-to-play-well-and.html?m=1

"At half time we had to encourage them to keep on pushing and give their best and they did exactly that – in the second half we weren’t ruthless, the scoreline wasn’t a reflection of what we saw, it could have been more than 1-0 but yeah, all we needed was three points, we got a clean sheet as well and move on."

Chiefs next match will be against Swallows FC on Monday 01 April at Peter Mokaba Stadium, kick-off is at 15:00.

Khune and Ertugral share insights on Zwane.

Itumeleng Khune, and Muhsin Ertugral have shared some interesting insights about Kaizer Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane.

Zwane has endured wave after wave of criticism, sometimes unfairly so, from Chiefs faithful, as well as some quarters of the South African football community.

His tactics, selection preferences, as well as his credibility as a Chiefs coach has been questioned, with the team's flactuating results not doing enough to help his cause.

But Zwane has diligently gone about the business of trying to get his best out of his Amakhosi side, guiding them to the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals, while they are also competing for the Caf Champions League spot.

Khune, who is close to reaching 20 years with Chiefs, is well positioned to give a glimpse of who exactly Arthur Zwane is, as well as what makes him tick.

Khune has worked with Zwane both as teammate, and now as one of his players.

"I had the privilege of playing with coach Arthur. And I had the privilege of being coached by him," said Khune. https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/local-soccer/why-itumeleng-khune-stayed-so-long-at-kaizer-chiefs/

"So obviously, we know what he wants. He wants hard-working players. 

"He wants disciplined players, and (wearing the Kaizer Chiefs badge doesn’t come easy."

Hard work and discipline seem to be the two words synonymous with the Amakhosi coach.

Muhsin Ertugral, who coached Zwane at some point at Chiefs, also spoke highly of his work ethic while he was still a player.

Speaking with Thabiso Mosia on Radio 2000, Ertugral said Zwane was very serious and hard working, always looking to improve.

"Arthur Zwane was a very serious player, always working on his game and how to track back," said Ertugral.

"He was passionate about the game . I even wanted to formalize a relationship with his township club, Galatasaray and Galatasaray in Turkey."

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/zwane-deserves-more-credit-than.html?m=1

As a coach, Zwane has shown character, and a thick skin, to not crack under pressure when showers of criticism have rained on him.

That is a quality of a battle hardened veteran who has seen and done it all.

And if what Khune and Ertugral are saying about him, than it is safe to say that Chiefs' process of renewal is in good hands. 

'He has a rare quality in him.' Arthur Zwane on Samkelo.

Kaizer Chiefs, in their prime, were known to be a team that thrived on the back of players who possessed immense technical abilities.

Even that was not enough, a dose of creativity was a vital aspect in a Chiefs player, think Doctor Khumalo, the late Shakes Kungoane, Donald 'Ace' Khuse, Thabang 'Banda' Lebese.

Those were players who could unlock the most stubborn of defensive organizations with a single pin point pass.

The Kaizer Chiefs of recent years has been found wanting when it comes to players of such quality, losing their identity in the process.

Lately though, a 21-year-old midfielder, Samkelo Zwane has shown a lot of promise, and if he continues to be nurtured, with his strengths maximized, the South African youth international could be what Chiefs has been missing all these years.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/nedbank-cup-quarterfinal-predictions.html?m=1

Zwane is a Chiefs homegrown product, having gone through their development ranks.

He has appeared nine times for the senior side so far this season, putting on a man of the match performance against Stellenbosch FC.

His coach, Arthur Zwane, is well aware of the gem at his disposal.

"When I look at Samkelo, he is something else, for me – not because we developed him, as a club, but because he has a rare quality in him," Zwane said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/nedbank-cup/zwane-tipped-for-huge-chiefs-future/

"His technical ability and execution are second to none, and that will always make him a special player, we are lacking such players in South Africa that can be able to pin-point 40-meter passes and also be creative, take risks at the back to unlock oppositions.

"Most defensive midfielders [in South Africa] keep it simple, they don’t want to lose the ball in critical areas of the field where they can end up being punished. 

"You will recall we ended up playing one of our former players, Njabulo Blom, who gave us stability and fighting in the middle to protect the back-four or the central area of the field – he did very well, unfortunately, he had to go for greener pastures."

With the type of players Chiefs are producing in their development ranks lately, one can only say, all is good, keep them coming! 

Zwane deserves more credit than criticism.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach, Arthur Zwane. Image: Twitter. 

If there is a coach in the Dstv Premiership who deserves more credit than the criticism he is subject to, it is Kaizer Chiefs' Arthur Zwane.

Before you ask me what has he done to deserve any sort of praise, you only have to look at the team he inherited when he took over, and what he has been able to do with them.

The great Pep Guardiola, given billions of rands for a salary, and asked to win trophies with the current Chiefs squad, would laugh at your face, before saying no and walk away.

No disrespect to Amakhosi players, they are talented, but that is just about it, they have reached their ceiling, and can't produce more quality than what they are able to do now, period.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/we-wont-give-up-now-arthur-zwane.html?m=1

Despite that, Zwane, albeit the constant criticism, has managed to achieve some great positives with the team in terms of some performance indicators.

For example, according to FootyStats, Kaizer Chiefs is one of the best attacking sides in the league.

They are behind only Mamelodi Sundowns when it comes to creating valuable goalscoring opportunities in the league, with their average xGF (expected goals for) at 1.73, compared to Downs' 1.86.

If there is one thing Zwane can't do, it is to score goals for his players.

Just last night, Chiefs missed an avalanche of chances that could have won them the game, and on top of that, gave away a silly goal to draw 1-1 against Marumo Gallants.

And that, ladies and gentleman, is not a coaching problem, but speaks to the quality and abilities of the players.

Zwane has done well to implement a tactical approach that is suitable for the players at his disposal, playing on the transition to maximize the strengths of players like Ashley Du Preez, Dillon Solomons, and other speedy players at Amakhosi.

That alone, is a sign of a coach who knows what he is doing.

To cut a long rant short, Zwane deserves more credit than he is given for his efforts.

After all, you can't take a go-kart to a Formula One race and expect a miracle. 

We won't give up now - Arthur Zwane.

Kaizer Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane. Image: Kaizer Chiefs Twitter

After their 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants on Saturday at FNB Stadium, Kaizer Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane accepted the setback, but reiterated the fact that they won't give up on their goal to finish second on the log.

In a game that Amakhosi could have won comfortably, they decided to revert back to their default settings.

They squandered good scoring opportunities, and gave Gallants a goal for an Easter present, courtesy of Edmilson Dove and Brandon Peterson.

Saturday night's draw might not be a complete train smash, but it came at a wrong time.

With Amakhosi on a four match winning streak, they would have loved to have made it five, especially taking into consideration the difficulty of their upcoming matches.

Chiefs still has to play SuperSport United, Cape Town City, and Sekhukhune United, three encounters that might prove difficult to win.

Zwane's thoughts on the game:

"I think the game became too easy for us when the we got the first goal," Zwane said after the game, as quoted by Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-09-we-keep-beating-ourselves-zwane-after-chiefs-costly-draw-against-gallants/

"After scoring we created three scoring chances but we did not take them again. Then we became sloppy at the back in terms of the build-up play.

"I was telling them we needed to move the ball a lot quicker because the more we put them under pressure the more likely we were to score.

"The miscommunication between Brandon and Dove gave them a goal they didn't deserve. They had two other chances and that was it. We had a number of chances to win this game."

On looking ahead, and why he won't give up:

"But having said that, we keep beating ourselves. We keep dropping points and letting ourselves down. For me this is one game where we could have got maximum points."

"There's five more games to play and anything can happen. There are a lot of teams fighting relegation and those who want to be in the top eight and there are no easy games for anyone. 

"We could have grabbed maximum points on this one and it's one of those. We just have to go back and prepare ourselves for the next one, which is going to be after the cup [Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Royal AM in Durban on Sunday] game.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/i-am-proud-to-have-watched-south.html?m=1

"We won't give up now. This is football and sometimes you find yourself in this situation. We always put ourselves in this situation where we could have made it much better for ourselves. 

"It's all up to us and we still have to play SuperSport. It will test our character from now ."

Arthur Zwane: We shouldn’t worry about what Sundowns are doing.

Kaizer Chiefs coach, Arthur Zwane. Image: Twitter

Mamelodi Sundowns and their dominance of local football, which has seen them wrap up their sixth league title in a row, is non of Kaizer Coach, Arthur Zwane's concern.

The Amakhosi mentor, who has endured a testing season, with his side's lack of consistency, which led to the team's supporters calling for his sacking, says Chiefs are running their own race, without obsessing about catching up with Downs.

"We’re doing things gradually, we’re looking at things differently, why I say differently… because the game has changed, you know? Right now we have to look at ourselves, we shouldn’t worry about what Sundowns are doing," Zwane said as quoted by iDiski Times. https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/dstv-premiership/zwane-touches-on-transfer-plans-for-next-season/

"Yes it’s a fact Sundowns are doing well, but if we were to focus on Sundowns and not focus on what we can do right to take the team back to where it belongs, it would be the biggest mistake that we can make."

Not worrying about Sundowns' success, and focusing on gradually improving Amakhosi's fortunes, seems to be working for Zwane at the moment.

Chiefs are on a six match winning streak across competitions, something that looked like nothing but a distant dream for the club not so long ago.

While they are in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals, their last opportunity at winning a trophy this season, Chiefs are also gunning for the Caf Champions League spot.

Perhaps, what should be more encouraging for Zwane, besides his side's strong finish to the season, is the type of signings the club has made.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/can-marumo-go-gallant-all-over-chiefs.html?m=1

Chiefs, in all honesty, lacked a strong spine this season, the center of their defence has been a disaster, and the reason why they lost or drew matches they should have won.

The arrival of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Given Msimango, will ensure that Zwane has less sleepless nights next season.

While the addition of Mduduzi Mdantsane is welcome in the attacking/creative midfield role, Chiefs will do well to find a defensive midfielder who is willing to get dirty in their engine room.

As for hopes of catching up with Downs, Chiefs, as Zwane is well aware, are a season or two away from that, and patience, both with the coach, and the process, will be key.

Zwane is starting to feel like the Chiefs penalties and red cards story is personal.

The story of Kaizer Chiefs, penalties, and red cards this season is well documented, and their head coach, Arthur Zwane feels like it is becoming personal.

Zwane feels like the colour of his skin might have something to do with everyone on his team's back about penalties and red cards.

I don't know about the colour of Zwane's skin and penalties. Is there some kind of broad-based black empowerment thing going on? Only Mangethe knows what he meant.

Anyway, the issue here is that Zwane is tired of this old story, why would people complain about his team getting the decisions they deserve from referees?

"I clearly don’t understand it. Why don’t people look at the positives rather than focus more on the negatives?" asked Zwane as quoted by Times Live. https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2023-04-05-is-it-the-colour-of-my-skin-chiefs-coach-zwane-on-questions-about-penalties/

"You know sometimes certain things you don’t understand. Maybe it’s because the colour of my skin.

"We played against Richards Bay early in the season in Durban and got a red card [against Chiefs] but we won 1-0. When we got a red card the score was 0-0. Why don’t people mention that."

Other teams do play against 10 man too!

"Last night [Tuesday] Mamelodi Sundowns’ opposition [Cape Town City] received a red card and with all the quality they have, they had an advantage for 18 minutes. You must have seen how City defended when they were one man down.

"When you have the advantage, people think you have already won the game. In fact it becomes more dangerous because you think you have the advantage of an extra player, but the other team double if not triple their efforts."

Should a blatant foul be ignored just because it will 'benefit' Amakhosi?

"If a goalkeeper handles the ball outside his area then what do you call it? I wouldn’t want to dwell too much on this because everyone has their own view. But if you go through all those challenges, we were playing against teams that knew they couldn’t match Kaizer Chiefs in open play.

Also Read: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/was-folz-undermined-at-amazulu.html?m=1

"I can count how many games where I said [before the opposition were a man down] they wouldn’t have an attempt on goal against us. 

"I understand what people are saying but I would also say they can do their own homework and maybe watch all those games and actually review them."

Sundowns win the league with seven games to spare, while Chiefs make it four wins in a row.

 

          Kaizer Chiefs players in celebratory mood after beating Stellenbosch FC 2-1. Image credit: Kaizer Chiefs Twitter.

It was an action-packed Saturday in the Dstv Premiership, that saw Mamelodi Sundowns winning the league with seven games to spare, while SuperSport United's draw against Chippa United threw the race for second spot wide open.

As things stand, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, and Kaizer Chiefs are all tied on 40 points after 24 games, with Pirates occupying the Caf Champions League spot by virtue of a better goal difference. 

Richards Bay vs Orlando Pirates:

Amabhakaniya managed to shrug off an early resistance from the Natal Rich Boys to down them 2-0 in a match played at King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, on Saturday afternoon.

Terence Dzvukamanja opened the scoring for Bucs in the 32nd minute after Kabelo Dlamini located him inside the box with an inch perfect cross from the right outside channel, while Monnapule Saleng finished the job for Pirates after 90+2 minutes, with a close-range finish which took his tally for the season to nine goals in the league.

Pirates enjoyed 58% of the ball, which culminated in 15 goal attempts with seven of them on target, while Richards Bay, who suffered their sixth straight league defeat, only managed five goal attempts, with a meagre two on target. 

With their win, Pirates moved to second spot on the league, after SuperSport United dropped two points against Chippa United.

Kaizer Chiefs vs Stellenbosch FC:

Amakhosi made it four wins in a row in the league as they put on a dominant performance om Saturday afternoon at FNB Stadium, to beat a 10-men Stellies 2-1.

The ghost of their first-round defeat to Chiefs, where they conceded three penalties and received a red card, came back to haunt Steve Barker's side as they gave away an early penalty, and got shown a red card in the 16th minute when goalkeeper, Sage Stephens handled the ball outside the box.

In a game they completely dominated, and should have scored more, Amakhosi took the lead through Ashley Du Preez in the 11th minute from a penalty spot, before captain Keagan Dolly added the second in the 25th minute to help Chiefs go to the half time break with a 2-0 lead, with Stellies looking dead and buried.

But Stellies came back a different side in the second stanza, as they pulled a goal back in the 46th minute through Jabaar. They almost grabbed an equalizer in the last minute of added time, but Brandon Pietersen pulled off a great close range save to deny Ortiz.

As has become the norm, Chiefs coach bemoaned his side's lack of killer instinct as they failed to kill the game off despite being dominant for most parts of the game.

Chiefs enjoyed 60% ball possesssion, 22 attempts on goal, of which only five were on target against 10-men. nonetheless, Zwane welcomed the all-important three points, and a fourth win in a row for his side, who have suffered a lack of consistency throughout the season.

Amakhosi remain fourth on the log, by virtue of a poor goal difference.