Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has detailed the advice he gave his players ahead of the much-awaited DStv Premiership Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.
Amakhosi will take on the Buccaneers at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, 25 February 2023.
The kick-off for the mouthwatering showdown is scheduled for 15:30.
‘10111’, as he is popularly known within the football circles, has urged his troops to “ignore the noise” happening around them and just focus on the game plan.
The 49-year-old Chiefs mentor has played in many derbies, so he is well aware of how the noise about the Soweto could affect his players mentally.
Zwane was speaking at the DStv press conference held at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.
ARTHUR ZWANE’S ADVICE TO KAIZER CHIEFS PLAYERS
“We are hoping for a win. I conveyed to the players that they should ignore the noise happening around them and just focus on the game plan and the game itself, ” Zwane told the media.
“If you focus on the noise now by the time the game comes, you are already tired before it starts.
“As a coach, I am trying to make sure the players stay away from what is happening off the field and concentrate on the game in the hope that we can grind out the result.”
The underfire coach went on to say that there is a lot at stake. And his troops know very well that they cannot afford to continue disappointing their fans.
“There’s a lot at stake. Apart from the three points, everyone knows what it means just to be part of the derby,” he added.
KAIZER CHIEFS SET TO DIG DEEP
In fact, Zwane further explained that his side will have to dig deep to walk away victorious on the day.
He also urged his team on the importance of taking responsibility in the final third.
Zwane insists that they have been creating chances but failed to bury [score] them.
“Orlando Pirates are a quality side, especially going forward. They have very dynamic players and you can see they have been together for some time,” he explained.
“It is good for South African football and for the country to see them performing well. This is because we want to test ourselves against the best in the country.”
Zwane continued: “We have plans but we’re not going to talk about them here.
“At the end of the day, it will boil down to who produces the quality on the day.”
Currently, Chiefs sit in fifth place on the log standings with 28 points, whereas Pirates are third on the table with 31 points.
Both teams have each played 20 games so far.
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