Arthur Zwane condemns AmaZulu’s defending after MTN8 extra-time defeat

AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane described his side’s defending as “horrible” after they lost 4-3 to Sekhukhune United in a dramatic MTN8 quarter-final at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday.

AmaZulu, also known as Usuthu, made the better start and took an early lead through Thando Ngwenya. Zwane’s team controlled much of the opening 25 minutes, but the coach believed they failed to turn that dominance into a decisive advantage.

“I think the first 25 minutes we were in control of the game,” Zwane said. “I think after scoring the goal we took the foot off the pedal when we were supposed to put pressure on them and force them to make mistakes.”

AmaZulu had further chances to extend their lead, but Sekhukhune remained in the contest and equalised shortly before half-time. Tshepo Mokoena’s effort took a deflection on its way into the net.

Zwane said he had tried to warn his players that they needed to control the closing stages of the first half and prevent Sekhukhune from building momentum.

“Just before half-time I even signalled to the players that there’s only three minutes left, let’s kill the game, let’s slow everything down,” he said.

“Again, we left them with a lot of room to play. They played from outside to inside, we lose the ball, they equalise.”

The visitors then took control after the interval, scoring twice in quick succession to move 3-1 ahead. AmaZulu responded strongly and eventually drew level, but Zwane was particularly critical of the defensive errors that had allowed Sekhukhune to establish their advantage.

“Second half, I’ve never seen such horrible defending from my side,” Zwane said.

He singled out the build-up to Sekhukhune’s third goal, when Ellis Ramala was allowed to run through and score despite AmaZulu having three defenders close to him.

“When we had three other defenders on him, I told them he is left-footed, force him to go to his right, don’t allow him to go inside,” Zwane said.

AmaZulu’s comeback was led by Ngwenya, who scored his second goal of the match, before Taariq Fillies completed the recovery by making it 3-3.

Zwane felt his side had done enough to win the match before extra time, arguing that the momentum was with AmaZulu once they had restored parity.

“After equalising, we should have scored two or three goals,” he said. “Quick goals kill the game.”

The quarter-final instead went beyond 90 minutes, with Katlego Letlapa scoring in the seventh minute of extra time to settle a seven-goal thriller in Sekhukhune United’s favour.

The result ended AmaZulu’s progress in the MTN8 and left Zwane frustrated by his team’s failure to make their attacking opportunities count while also defending effectively.

“It’s one of those things,” he said. “You need to learn from these mistakes.”