No panic over Amakhosi slip-up
We shouldn’t read too much into Kaizer Chiefs losing to SuperSport United, they have not given their chance of winning the league title away. Amakhosi had a good performance on Saturday night but this is one result that never went their way. They were unlucky not to come away with a point, take nothing away from United because they play well against the big sides. The belief and confidence they have when facing big sides will always come to the fore.
Chiefs hit the woodwork three times and Ronwen Williams was just exceptional on the day. Ernst Middendorp’s side were their normal self in terms of creating chances there wasn’t a dip in form from them, those are the positives that the coach can take away from this game.
Chiefs have not given it away, even Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane was cautious in his post-match interview stating the finish line for the league title race was in May not now.
The supporters shouldn’t think there is anything going on in the Naturena camp that could affect the team and stop the good season they are having so far. They only lost one match last year and in the league you will have one or two slip ups when you play well and don’t win, that is budgeted for.
Coach Pitso knows he has to face Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United, he is not under the illusion that he will close the gap and overtake them, he knows there is still a long road to travel.
At Orlando Pirates, coach Josef Zinnbauer’s influence on the team is showing after two games in charge. Pirates are a lot more patient when they are in possession. They have always been a possession-based team and attack very quickly on the counter.
The Buccaneers are taking better care of the ball especially in midfield when they start their build-up from the back. When Micho Sredojevic left Pirates they lost confidence from building up from the back, they made a lot of mistakes at that stage when Micho left but their confidence is back under Zinnbauer.
Zinnbauer emphasises his players will play with the ball whether they make mistakes or not. Unfortunately the old demon creeps in when they take the lead and can’t manage the game. They totally dominated Bloemfontein Celtic, they have so much quality that they can change gears as they please similar to Sundowns.
They are their own worst enemy in the 80th minute where they must manage the game and that’s where they get it wrong.
They allowed Celtic to come back and that is the sickness that Pirates have. Zinnbauer’s emphasis on possession is very quick to see, you can notice the pattern he wants, and his character is rubbing off on the players. He is relaxed in his approach that’s why players are not nervous to make mistakes.
Pirates are a big team and they have the quality to win things. The opportunity to win a cup will always be there.
Looking at the bigger picture, I don’t think they will be too fazed if they don’t win any silverware at the end of the season because they had Micho in charge for a few games then Rulani Mokwena, they were stop-start and they know it might not be a successful season. Big teams want to win cups but if they don’t it won’t be the end of the world.