Read more
How Chiefs’ Zwane is dealing with focus issues ahead of Soweto derby
'People are already thinking about Pirates, not Swallows. It gets to the players ears and they also start thinking about it,' said the Chiefs mentor.
Christian Saile and Ashley Du Preez of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership match against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on April 27. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
Arthur Zwane’s biggest challenge in the last two games and ahead of the next one has been keeping the focus at Kaizer Chiefs.
ALSO READ: No joy for Chippa as Chiefs get back to winning ways
He says he has to make sure the players are settled and not looking too far ahead because of the upcoming Soweto derby.
Chiefs will host Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semifinals at FNB Stadium on 6 May. But before that, they have had to play Sekhukhune United and Chippa United.
They lost to Sekhukhune but managed to get back to winning ways against Chippa on Thursday.
“Sometimes the derby can make you forget what is important,” admitted Zwane after the Chippa game at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Chiefs host Swallows on Monday at Peter Mokaba Stadium in a DStv Premiership match that was initially scheduled for Tuesday, but later brought forward.
“What is key now is to take it one day at a time and focus on this one,” explained Zwane.
“And after the game on Monday, that is when we start focusing on the Pirates one.
“It is difficult though because people are already talking about the derby especially after this great performance.
“People are already thinking about Pirates, not Swallows. It gets into the players ears and they also start thinking about it.
“But we have to manage that and we have been in that situation as well while we were players. We have that advantage to be able to help them with that.”
Focus on Swallows, says Zwane
With Swallows also in the relegation dogfight, Zwane expects a difficult game. The Dube Birds will be high on confidence after their win against Maritzburg on Thursday night.
“It is a difficult one to play. It is another team who are fighting for their lives and will not make it easy for us.
“They are not going to give it to us on a silver platter. We are going to have to give a good performance like today.
“And if we approach the game with the same mentality and mindset, I see no problem with us getting maximum points.
ALSO READ: Zwane makes shock Dolly announcement ahead of Chippa tie
“But having said that, I am not saying it is going to be an easy game for us. Even today we played against a team who made it difficult.
“As of now, it is a case of managing the players, making sure that before Monday’s game, everyone is fresh.”
