‘Beating Pirates doesn’t mean we have won the league’: Chiefs coach Zwane

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane appealed for calm and reminded the season is still long, after an impressive 1-0 Soweto derby win for his team over bitter rivals Orlando Pirates at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

Amakhosi registered their first win in three DStv Premiership matches to move to third in the standings, even though they may be overtaken by SuperSport United who host struggling Swallows FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

Chiefs’s victory came as a result of a tactical masterclass by coach Arthur Zwane that was capped by a stunning wonder goal from inside his own half by midfielder Yusuf Maart that bamboozled Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, who was off his line.

“We still have a long way to go — this was our 13th game of the season and we still have 17 games to play with lots to play for,” Zwane said.

“Right now we will take one game at a time and beating Orlando Pirates doesn’t mean we have won the league. We still have a lot of tough games ahead of us but it was important for us to win here.

“This is one game that when it takes place everything comes to a standstill in the country. That is why it was crucial to come here, away from home, and get maximum points.

“Luckily for us we managed to get those three points and we also performed very well. It is never easy to play against Orlando Pirates with the quality players and technical team they have.

“They are not in the MTN8 final by mistake, they are there because they have been playing very well and working very hard. Unfortunately today it wasn’t to be for them and we managed to get maximum points.”

Zwane said Chiefs knew Pirates, who came into the derby on form, would not make things easy for his team.

“We came here knowing very well that it wasn’t going to be an easy game for us as we were playing against a team that has been doing very well. We had to come up with a plan, we had to give them a base outside rather than allowing them to come into the middle because they have dangerous players who are very good on the ball.

“Our plan worked well and the guys went in there and executed it perfectly — we had two clear-cut chances we could have buried but we couldn’t. Before that they had a chance from a dead ball situation and they were unfortunate not to bury that one.

“We started slow and it was a worrying factor for me. I tried to lift the boys and they responded positively. In the second half, I think the game was equally balanced. At times they dictated terms and they also allowed us time and space on the ball.”

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.