Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane has passed on some valuable advice to his players ahead of a potentially explosive Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates.
Zwane has played for both Soweto giants and knows precisely what it takes to win the tie on Saturday at the FNB Stadium.
He has since sent a message to his charges, who were booted out of the MTN8 Cup last Sunday.
‘10111’, as he is affectionately known, is convinced the form of their rivals will not count.
“When these two giants meet, it is a different ball game, and I will always advise our boys to focus on the game,” Zwane said.
ZWANE ON THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
He is aware of the influence of social media in the modern-day game and insists that his players must not listen to external voices.
“It’s one of the biggest games, but we need to relax. They must not listen to what is happening out there.
“Yes, people will always have something to say. That’s the nature of football in our country.
“There are those who say a lot of positive things, and there are those who doubt you.
“But it is about how you rise to the occasion at the end of the day, so I know that most of them are okay,” he said.
Although a point separates the two South African giants, Pirates have had the better start.
They go into the tie buoyed by their 3-0 demolition of Mamelodi Sundowns last weekend.
ZWANE ON CHIEFS’ READINESS
Zwane said their preparations had been going well, and he had prepared the players to “focus on the job at hand”.
“We have been training because I had to play that part to ensure that they feel relaxed and calm and they just focus on the job at hand, which is the big one coming over the weekend.”
