Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has detailed why lower-division teams are tough customers when they face DStv Premiership Premiership sides.
Amakhosi have in the past struggled to beat lower league teams, with then second-tier league outfits Richards Bay, Baroka, TS Galaxy and AmaTuks inflicting shock defeats to the Soweto giants.
With Chiefs seemingly struggling to stamp their authority against minnows, they look to have turned the corner.
Zwane’s troops recently beat Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars 2-1 at FNB Stadium to book a spot in the quarterfinals, where they will face Royal AM.
In addition, ABC Mostepe League side, Dondol Stars dubbed ‘giant killers’ have knocked out two big teams in AmaZulu and SuperSport United on their way to the last eight of the Nedbank Cup.
Dondol Stars were drawn against Orlando Pirates in the quarterfinals.
WHAT GIVES LOWER LEAGUES TEAMS THE EDGE
Zwane has since explained why it’s difficult face lower league teams.
“Teams from lower leagues, you must have seen them cause big upsets,” Zwane told the media
“That tells you that it’s difficult to plan against them because you don’t know how they going to approach the game.
“Unlike when you play against a PSL team where you know how they approach the game and what they do best.
“Even the profile of the players, you know that if they have this player, he will likely do x, y and z.
“It’s always difficult [to face lower league teams] because they play with energy.
“The teams work twice as hard because some of them are marketing themselves to be in the PSL.
“They believe that they are good to play at that level. So when given an opportunity they will always want to showcase their talent.
“That makes life for PSL teams tough if you are going to take them for granted,” added the Chiefs coach.
KAIZER CHIEFS INCONSISTENT UNDER ARTHUR ZWANE
Chiefs have had an inconsistent start to the 2022/23 DStv Premiership under the guidance of Zwane.
The Glamour Boys have won 10 games, drawing four while losing eight times after 22 games played in the league.
They are currently positioned fourth on the Premiership log with 34 points.
In their next league game, they will tackle Maritzburg Unite away from home on Saturday, 18 March 2023.
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