Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane says they had to take a gamble and throw more men forward in their clash against Sekhukhune United.
Sekhukhune got an early goal through Sammy Seabi’s fourth-minute strike when the two clubs met in the DStv Premiership on Sunday afternoon at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Chiefs could not draw level as they watched their hopes of finishing second slip away. The lost 1-0.
ARTHUR ZWANE GAMBLE
Amakhosi are now five points behind second-placed Orlando Pirates as the Soweto rivals chase that CAF Champions League spot.
Desperate to get that equaliser, Zwane threw in Caleb Bimenyimana, and Mdu Shabalala, with Ashley Du Preez and Christian Saile in as well.
Bimenyimana replaced Keagan Dolly while Shabalala came on for Cole Alexander. Zwane explained his decision to throw in all his forwards.
“I thought we started off well, and it looked like we were gonna get the goal before they scored,” Zwane told SuperSport in a post-match interview.
Before Babina Noko’s goal, Du Preez had the opportunity to put the Glamour Boys ahead. However, the former Stellenbosch FC forward shot wide.
“We gave them room. I don’t think we were sharp enough. Our box entries were not better than the previous games,” he said.
“We had to take a gamble and throw in more forwards and put them under pressure. It nearly worked….”
CHANCES OF FINISHING SECOND SLIM
Zwane admitted that with the loss, chances of finishing second are now slim.
“The chances now are getting smaller. We have ourselves to blame. We had the opportunity today to get closer. We’ll take one game at a time….”
Chiefs enjoyed more possession than the host, averaging 66%. They attempted 14 shots with only two on target.
The hosts, on the other hand, only had seven shots, with two on target. Following the result, Sekhukhune moved to sixth place with 35 points. The Limpopo side is pushing for a top-eight finish this season.
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