Arthur Zwane, coach of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Zwane’s dream seems to be over. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

VIDEO: Chiefs coach admits ‘it was not a good season’

Arthur Zwane has reflected on his first season as Chiefs coach and the impact of losing to Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-final.

Arthur Zwane, coach of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Zwane’s dream seems to be over. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

On Saturday, a disappointing Chiefs season came to a horrid end as the Soweto side lost a 12th league game of the season after slipping to a 1-0 loss against Cape Town City at the FNB Stadium.

The result meant Chiefs finished the season fifth after failing to qualify for Caf competitions or win any trophies during the 2022-23 campaign.

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Afterwards, Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane ultimately conceded the season had been a failure, while lamenting the team’s downward spiral ever since losing to Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals.

“You must have seen the Cup game [against Orlando Pirates] they gave their all thinking that if they go to the final, they will have something to smile about this season and something to play for. But it wasn’t to be and it ended up being a difficult season,” Zwane said after the match.

“It was always going to be difficult for them to come back [after the elimination], and the only thing that was left for us was to keep on motivating them and make sure that we keep the structure but look, it did not work.

“Their minds were already in the off-season, thinking about next season.”

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Zwane also once again laid some of the blame on player injuries and absences, which beset Amakhosi during the season.

“We have always tried our level best to make sure that we compete but this is one season that we had a lot of things that we couldn’t control,” Zwane added.

“Like the injuries, every game we lose a player, and it tampers with the plans, the structure as well, and now you are forced to change a little bit, tweak it here and there.

“And you are still now looking for the right passes inside the box, losing the ball cheaply here and there. It wasn’t a good season but I can’t fault the boys, they tried their level best. All the best players gave their best.”

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CHIEFS HAD A FORGETTABLE FINISH TO THE SEASON

AmaZulu 0-4 Orlando Pirates

Chippa United 0-0 Golden Arrows

Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 Cape Town City FC

Richards Bay 0-0 Royal AM

Sekhukhune United 1-0 SuperSport United

Stellenbosch FC 2-1 TS Galaxy

Swallows 2-0 Marumo Gallants

FINAL 2022/23 DSTV PREMIERSHIP LOG

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