After Kaizer Chiefs succumbed to a 2-0 loss to Free State Stars in the Nedbank Cup last night at Moses Mabhida Stadium hence bowing out of the competition,this meant that the only silverware that the club can still compete for this season is the MultiChoice Diski Shield.
Their reserve team are in action this afternoon against rivals Orlando Pirates at Vosloorus Stadium,as they'll be battling it out for a place in the last four of the Shield.
Coach Arthur ‘10111’ Zwane who had a colourful career that was decorated with many trophies at Chiefs, believes it’s time for his young squad to start emulating his achievements hence they have to win this year’s MultiChoice Diski Shield .
'10111’ is in his second season as the coach of the junior team and in that tenure, he’s publicly expressed that their focus is to develop players holistically and playing constructive football more than winning the league. So far, he’s has been successful in his tracks, as his promoted first team regulars Wiseman Meyiwa and Siyabonga Ngezana, and with the likes of Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Yusuf Bunting, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya and Itumeleng Shopane waiting in the wings.
After an impressive run of form in terms of winning trophies over the years, Chiefs were dubbed as ‘Cup Kings of South African Football’ but they are currently enduring a two-year barren run that has left the club’s faithful in distraught. The 44-year-old former pacy winger believes that his team is capable of changing the current misfortunes.
“It is well known that the culture of Chiefs is about winning,’’ Zwane said. “I cannot lie to these players by applauding constant development. We have to develop them but at the same time make them aware that it’s about winning now. This tournament has shown that we have character to win hence we’ve done so in our first two games. We don’t see ourselves playing for any other position except the first.’’
He continued: “As a team, we agreed that we are playing to win this tournament. I’ve given them the opportunity to grow in the league, and they’ve grown. Hence, now they have to go all the way to the final and win this cup.’’
Before Zwane can even begin to reminisce of bringing back the glory days at Naturena, he’s has to renew his long-love rivalry with Pirates. This Soweto-derby will be a decider of who progresses to the semi-finals of the Shield in the Central region. In this thriller of a match, Amakhosi are only in search of a draw in order to qualify while Pirates are targeting an outright win.
“This game will be a tough one compared to the last two, because people expect a lot from us,’’Zwane exclusively told Independent Media during the team’s training session on Thursday. “Pirates have to dig deeper if they are to outsmart us. We are all in the right frame of mind and we know what we want hence I have no doubt we will go all the way to the final.’’’
He added: We will make their lives very difficult; they’ll see…We will go at them like nobody business. We want to win the game, hence attacking will be our strategy.’’
Club captain Siphiwe Tshabalala said this week “football is not a one man sport’’. Thus, Zwane also testifies that what made him succeed as a footballer, were the players that surrounded him.
“I was lucky to play with players who were committed to the game, I wasn’t going to generate success alone, ’’ the Soweto-born coach said as he encourages team-work from his players. “These are players that wanted success with everything that they had.''