Zwane wants Chiefs to have the same rhythm

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Dec 31, 2022. 12:00

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane wants his team to “pick up where they left off” and have the “same rhythm” for their return to DStv Premiership action on Saturday.

The Amakhosi will face Golden Arrows at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on the afternoon of 31 December. It will be their first competitive match since defeating Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates 1-0 on 29 October – courtesy of Yusuf Maart’s stunning, ultra-long-range goal.

“We are coming back from a long recess. It is an unusual one at this time of the season, so it will be a case of adaptation and a change of mindset from our players,” said Zwane, as quoted by IOL.

“We finished the first half of the season on a high, against a team [Pirates] that are currently on a high.

“We just want to continue where we left off in terms of the performance, with the hope that we still have the same rhythm. We are starting to get to know each other very well.

“The chemistry is also getting better, as is the approach of the players, which has also been key.

“We were building up good momentum and we now must start afresh. What is key right now is to try and grind out the results, in terms of getting to go back to how we played our last game. It’s not going to be easy.”

Chiefs have played several friendlies in preparation for a return to competitive action, but Zwane has warned his team that full blooded football will be a different proposition.

“We played quite a few games behind closed doors, and we did quite well, that might have helped,” said Zwane.

“But it is only until you start playing official games, that’s when you see where you are, where you need to make changes and improve. Those games are practice matches because the atmosphere is not the same as at the stadiums.

“What will be important now is how the players will respond when the crowds are cheering them on. Sometimes when things are not going our way, they will be a little bit against us, which is something we understand.”