Publications
- Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has admitted they are no longer in the DStv Premiership title race.
- Amakhosi are 22 points behind runaway log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns
- Zwane has shifted his focus to Nedbank Cup success with the Glamour Boys.
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has admitted his charges are no longer in the DStv Premiership title race following a 1-0 defeat to runaway leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
The defeat has left Amakhosi in sixth place, 22-points behind Sundowns as they look on course to win a sixth title in a row while Amakhosi's trophy drought looks set to continue since 2015, the last time the club tasted silverware.
With top spot looking unlikely, Zwane's focus has shifted to qualifying for the CAF Champions League and winning the Nedbank Cup.
Amakhosi kick-start their Nedbank Cup campaign against Maritzburg United in the Round of 32 on Friday, 10 February.
"We really want to go play in the Champions League next season," Zwane told reporters.
"I've tasted it when I was a part of the team as an assistant coach. I want to go back there.
"That will help our boys to grow, that will help our players as well to know how it's like to compete at that level.
"Some of these players must come back and represent their countries in international level. So, it's equally important for us to participate at that level.
"We will push for our second spot, if we can't get anything then second spot is realistic.
"The team hasn't been winning cups for many years... the Nedbank Cup... we will give our utmost best as well to make sure we will go all the way and win it if we can."
Zwane has been under immense scrutiny from club fans with calls being made for him to be relieved of his duties as boss.
Many of the goals conceded by his side are due to individual errors while their missed goal-scoring chances are out of his control.
However, the 49-year-old believes there are still plenty of positives to take away from recent performances.
"As a club right now, it is not the case of if I'm the right man or not. It is a case of what we want to achieve as a club going forward.
"I said in the week, unfortunately you can't just come in and want to hit the ground running because there's a lot of things you want to make sure works, and like you said, Keagan (Dolly) had a tap in but unfortunately couldn't [score], so what must I do?
"I am the coach, it is my job to go back to the drawing board, back to the field and prepare the players and work on them until we get them right.
"If we are playing bad then I would say yes, maybe I am finding it difficult but I'm seeing a lot of positives.
"The second half, we changed things and we tweaked things a little bit and we were on top of Sundowns.
"Would you still say it's the coach? I don't think so," said a defiant Zwane.
