We hav e to be realistic
On their 4-0 humiliation of Kaizer Chiefs
It’s always good to get the type of result we got against Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend, but the most important thing is how consistently we can do it. It’s one thing to get a good result once, it’s another to get them on a consistent basis. To be where we want to be on a mid-term and long-term perspective, we have to deliver performances like that as often as possible. As much as we know that we can do it, it’s a matter of finding consistency – that’s my feeling. If you ask any coach in the world if scoring four goals was part of the game plan – even if the plan was to score two – any coach will tell you that scoring four goals was part of the plan. My point is, we set up a tactical approach that we thought was going to give us an upper hand in the game. We had a plan that was going to give us an edge offensively and defensively. It worked for us and I must give credit to the players for their performance. The game plan was executed and it’s a good win. If we can keep that approach and tactical discipline and that level of commitment, there’s only good things to come. We scored two goals from corner kicks and that is something we have been trying to re-enforce for the past few weeks. It’s something I have not been happy with recently. We conceded from a set-piece the game before this one (against Royal
AM), we lacked aggression in the box and self-understanding of the little details like if you start to run, even if it’s three-yards, when you are not in the right position it makes a difference in the end. On this occasion, it was near-perfect both defensively and offensively. We showed the aggression that we wanted to have and the delivery and accuracy were also good. Honestly, it’s only results of the hard work we’ve been doing at training. We know that set-pieces are a very important area of the game both offensively and defensively and that is an area we want to be effective in going forward. We had a chance to play against Chiefs in the MTN8 not long ago and we took information from that game and tried to do better than we did on that occasion. Of course, it’s something that we do on all occasions.
On working with Zuma
Dumisani Zuma had a good game against Chiefs like many of the players. As a collective unit, we had a solid game. For him personally, as I told him the first week when I started working with him, it’s not enough to have the potential, you need to fulfil the potential and show people what you can do on a regular basis. It’s not enough for people to say you are a good player and then you disappear for 10 games and then re-appear for another two games – that is not enough. As much as he had a good game, like I said, for the collective to be consistent, it also applies to individuals. I will be happy for him the same way I will be happy for all other players and I’m sure he has the potential and quality to do that, which is what I will be looking forward to. When it comes to consistency, for us to find consistency it’s in the work that we put in every day. The commitment and the work ethic that you apply to yourself will also apply to the team. That is the only way to succeed. If you look at some of the biggest teams in the world, in many continents – whether it’s in Europe or South
America – it’s all about finding that commitment on a daily basis. When you apply that over a long period of time, it becomes a norm and part of you. The trickiest part is to start that process at your plight because that is the most difficult time. But once you have it, it’s a matter of maintaining it. But I’m positive that many teams in the country have potential to do that. Some are doing it. For us, that is what we are aiming to do and we are working every day to reach that objective.
On ambitions for the rest of the season
We have to be realistic. If you look at the log table, yes, we are in position six. As much as a win can get you there, a loss can also get you elsewhere. It’s something we know. Everyone needs to know that it’s all about how you handle your emotions, whether you win, lose or draw. We lost the game before Kaizer Chiefs and I told everyone that we needed to handle our emotions well if we want to put out a good performance against Kaizer Chiefs. The same applies when you win. When it comes to the league, it’s still very tight when it comes to points. For (the) Nedbank Cup, we will enter the competition with intentions of getting as far as possible. This weekend, we are playing against Marumo Gallants at home, we will try to perfect our game as best as we can and re-enforce what we do well and correct or fix what we identify as grey areas. It’s going to be an interesting game. When I joined AmaZulu FC, I knew that there was a lot of work to do when it comes to bringing the team together. I brought back a couple of players into the team, like Pule Ekstein and Thabo Qalinge. Both players had a good game this weekend and for me, in all honesty, I’m willing to give opportunities to people who deserve it. When I came here, I was not interested in knowing what happened before with them because it was not my problem. It was not something that happened between me and them. I told them, “Show me what you can do based on what I expect you to do in the context of the team.” With Junior Dion, he was an easy addition in the offensive department, not that we don’t have players in that department. I felt his profile was needed as he brings something different. He is always pushing and we know that our fans like players who are always fighting and pushing. There were a lot of things that we needed to put back together. I’m still in the process of doing some of those things. I want to bring the club to a state of mind where everyone is pushing on a daily basis and trying their best every day to give the best version of themselves.