Zwane rues bad luck as Chiefs prepare for their final test of 2021

Kaizer Chiefs will hope they can head into Christmas with a little more cheer when they host Maritzburg United in their final DStv Premiership match of the year today.

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Amakhosi’s recovery this season took a hit on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 at Chatsworth Stadium by Royal AM, Victor Letsoalo’s spot kick enough to complete a league double for the top flight newbies over Chiefs.

It was Amakhosi’s first loss in six league games, in a game of few chances, though Leonardo Castro’s effort was turned onto the post early on.

In the end, a clumsy mistake by Bernard Parker, giving away a needless penalty, cost Chiefs, as Letsoalo made no mistake from the spot.

“If you look at the game, I think we exerted ourselves very well,” said Chiefs assistant coach Arthur Zwane, in charge of the team on Sunday, as he was in Chiefs’ previous match against Sekhukhune United, with Stuart Baxter still recovering from Covid-19.

“We were just unfortunate not to get at least a point. That is football sometimes but you cannot fault the players for effort. They gave their all.”

“We didn’t create enough to score but we showed eagerness and hunger … if we had taken our chances in the first half it would have been a different story.”

With just 15 points from 17 matches, meanwhile, Maritzburg United, coached by former Amakhosi mentor Ernst Middendorp, face another relegation battle, and suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Chippa United on Sunday.

These two teams met as recently as November 21 at the Harry Gwala Stadium, with Parker grabbing the only goal of the game, and no doubt the veteran Amakhosi forward would love to do the same again, and gain immediate redemption for his error against Royal AM.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see where we can fix,” added Zwane.

“We have another one on Wednesday.”

Keagan Dolly returned to the Chiefs side on Sunday after missing the previous game, and faded a little after a bright start, but should at least have more match fitness in his legs when United come to visit.

Dolly and Khama Billiat were both absentees in the 2-0 win over Sekhukhune, after a Covid-19 outbreak at the Amakhosi village. Billiat came off the bench against Royal AM, but also couldn’t find an equaliser.

“We saw the rustiness, especially with Keagan, and Khama .. it is one of those things where it is more about managing them. But at least they have had more build up for the next game. That is good for us,” added Zwane.