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Arthur Zwane details why Chiefs had difficult season

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has detailed why the 2022/23 DStv Premiership season has been difficult for his troops.

Chiefs crashed out of the Nedbank Cup semi-finals after losing 2-1 against fierce-rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The two Soweto giants could not be separated in 90 minutes after playing to a feisty 1-1 draw in front of a sold-out crowd in Soweto.

Kermit Erasmus scored early in the first half for Pirates, while Yusuf Maart restored parity for Chiefs to take the match to extra time.

The Buccaneers booked a spot in the Nedbank Cup final thanks to a late strike in the extra-time by Sandile Mthethwa.

With Amakhosi going down to the arch-rivals Pirates, it meant that Zwane and his men have to wait yet another season to end their trophy drought, which dates back to 2015.

Despite Chiefs beating Pirates twice in the league in the current campaign, Zwane has admitted that his first season as Chiefs head coach was difficult.

Kaizer Chiefs in action against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-final
Kaizer Chiefs in action against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-final

WHY ARTHUR ZWANE EXPECTED DIFFICULT SEASON FOR KAIZER CHIEFS

“Obviously, this was always going to be difficult season whether we won a cup or not,” said Zwane.

“The fact is everyone was trying to find themselves, the new players who came in, the new set up and the new environment.

“Also, a demanding environment, not just an environment where you can play one game well and the second game you can get away with it [not performing well].

“With us you need to perform week in week out and some of the guys were still adjusting because of the demands.

“I cannot blame them, that’s part of playing for a team of Chiefs calibre and we’ve learned from our mistakes.

“We’ll move on and try to rectify our mistakes going forward,” he added.

Zwane was entrusted with a role to bring the glory days back at Chiefs after taking over from coaching reigns at the start of the season.

However, his first season as a senior team coach hasn’t been smooth sailing as Chiefs is set to conclude another season without silverware.

RELATED STORY: Pirates snatch late win against Chiefs to advance to Nedbank Cup final

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