AmaZulu boss Arthur Zwane demands higher standards after narrow Marumo Gallants win

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane has warned his players against complacency after a below-par 1-0 victory over struggling Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday.

The result moved AmaZulu to 13 points from six league matches, level with defending champions Orlando Pirates, who have played one game fewer.

Both sides remain seven points behind African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who drew 1-1 at Chippa United in their eighth league fixture after conceding a late equaliser.

Although AmaZulu stayed in touch with the leading teams, Zwane was critical of the way his side performed against a Gallants team that is still searching for its first league win.

“Instead of applying ourselves correctly, being sharp, and imposing ourselves, we actually slowed down and allowed the opposition to dictate terms here and there,” said Zwane after the match.

“I must honestly give credit to the players for grinding out the result, but I know we could have done better. We set ourselves standards in terms of performance, and this is one performance we want to quickly forget about. On a positive note, though, we have to make sure that we continue where we left off in terms of winning games.”

AmaZulu’s fifth league victory was secured by Zimbabwean striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, whose strong run of form in front of goal has helped keep the Durban club among the early pace-setters.

The August PSL Player of the Month scored his seventh league goal of the season to settle the contest.

Zwane said AmaZulu had created enough opportunities to win more comfortably but insisted their overall level could not be allowed to drop.

“We had great moments that we could’ve capitalised on to add to the scoreline. I cannot fault the effort of the players because at the end of the day, the target was to get maximum points, but I don’t want us to drop our standards. We have to make life difficult for any opposition when they come to AmaZulu,” he said.

The coach also accepted responsibility for the team’s lack of intensity, saying the coaching staff needed to examine its own contribution rather than placing the blame solely on the players.

“Regarding the problem that you saw here today, we can’t only blame the players. It could be at training or anywhere else where the problems start. Even we as coaches have to check ourselves in terms of, ‘What have we done differently this past week? Why did the energy levels drop so drastically during the game?’ as we were just out of character today.”

Zwane’s concerns were underlined by Gallants’ record. The club remain winless after six matches, with four defeats and two draws.

They were led by 37-year-old Matome Mathiane, the recently retired centre-back, following the midweek dismissal of coach Phuti Mohafe.

AmaZulu’s next match is against Polokwane City, while Marumo Gallants host Orlando Pirates next weekend.

Marumo Gallants’ Simo Luthuli was challenged by AmaZulu’s Player of the Match Siyanda Hlangabeza during the encounter.