Chiefs coach wants more direct runs against Gallants

KAIZER Chiefs will be eager to return to winning ways in the DStv Premiership against Marumo Gallants on Sunday (3pm kick-off) following their draw with AmaZulu.

Chiefs have had a lukewarm start to the season, having won two matches, drawn two and lost three under the guidance of new coach Arthur Zwane.

They were unfortunate not to keep all three points at FNB Stadium on Saturday night as they were held to a goalless stalemate by Usuthu. Chiefs played their best football on the night, but they were let down by their finishing, a concern for Zwane. The arrival of striker Caleb Bimenyimana, who made his first appearance for the club after receiving his work permit on Saturday, is expected to help Chiefs at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday. But Zwane knows that he can’t do it alone, with his teammates, especially fellow striker Ashlely du Preez, expected to help the team as well. Zwane, in particular, was pleased with the return of Yusuf Maart in midfield against Usuthu, following his suspension for the MTN8 quarter-final.

Maart made Chiefs tick – on attack – and defensively. So much so that he won the Man of the Match award for his exploits that day. It is such performances that Zwane will be eager to see against Gallants, who’ve been involved in a brawl with coach Romain Folz, in North West. “If you look at the team today, Yusuf came back. And last week we played Siyethemba Sithebe as one of the two sixes,” Zwane said at FNB after the clash with AmaZulu.

However, with football a team sport, Maart cannot do it alone. And that’s why Zwane is banking on his team to improve – especially in front of goal. “It’s work in progress. When you are trying to get the combinations right, you are going to miss certain things out,” Zwane explained.

“These include chemistry and tactical understanding. But when you look at our boys, sometimes they get it right and sometimes they don’t. “If we had more direct runs inside the box, especially in the final-third entry, we could have good decision-making and good combinations.”

Chiefs’ defence has received a lot of stick for the mistakes they’ve committed in the last few matches, especially after defeats.

But their influential players, such as Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly, haven’t been at their best upfront as well, leading to public criticism from fans. But Zwane has chosen to stick with his tried-andtested personnel as he believes that they’ll find their mojo as the season progresses. Billiat and Njabulo Ngcobo, who was responsible for the goal they conceded against Stellenbosch in the MTN8 quarter-final, were decent against AmaZulu.

“These are seasoned campaigners and they only need our help as coaches. We are not there to judge them,” Zwane said of the duo’s form. “This is a game of football. People will have a plan for you, try to nullify your strengths to weaken you. They’ll play a prominent role going forward.”

Chiefs will gladly welcome a win against Gallants as that will boost their morale heading to their MTN8 semi-final against AmaZulu next month.