Arthur Zwane has explained how Kaizer Chiefs have managed to maintain their dominance over arch-rivals Orlando Pirates, with Amakhosi winning the last five Soweto Derbies.
Kaizer Chiefs have entrenched their supremacy in the Soweto derby, recording a second consecutive league double against Pirates as Zwane’s men won the last game between the two SA football giants 1-0.
However, the upcoming Soweto Derby looks like the most vital match of the season for Zwane, and a defeat would spell disaster for Chiefs.
Zwane is cognisant of the fact that the last five derbies won’t matter when they tackle Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, seeking to end the trophy drought which stretches back to 2015.
With that said, the Chiefs coach briefly explained the key to winning against Pirates, insisting that the best team will be victorious on Saturday at FNB Stadium.
ARTHUR ZWANE ON CHIEFS’ SOWETO DERBY WINS
“You know football, you cannot rely more on what you have done in the past,” said Zwane at the Chiefs village in Naturena.
“Yes, we have won those games; it talks to preparation; we got it right. So hence the coach from Pirates [Jose Riveiro] said that this time around, this will be a different Orlando Pirates [team]. But only time will tell.
Chiefs will come up against a resurgent Buccaneers team that will be eager to register their seventh win in a row when they welcome Royal AM at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday at 3 pm.
And with Amakhosi’s chances of qualifying for the CAF Champions League dead in the water, lifting the Nedbank Cup trophy is the only way the club can salvage their inconsistent season.
They are fourth on the log standings five points adrift of Pirates, who are currently occupying second place with two games remaining in the league.
Zwane admitted that they are underdogs heading into the derby but made it clear that they will approach the game with the mentality to win.
“Games like these are always difficult for everyone and unpredictable. Pirates are doing well, and we will be coming into this game as underdogs,” he said.
“Chiefs will go to FNB [Stadium] with one thing on our mind, to go there and give our best and be victorious.
“We have been blowing hot and cold [this season], and the players know what it’s expected; this is one game that doesn’t need me as a coach to motivate them. We want to finish the season on a high since we had a difficult season.”
RELATED STORY: Arthur Zwane’s verdict on Itumeleng Khune’s return between the sticks