Zwane says AmaZulu paid the price for showing Sundowns too much respect

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane says his side’s cautious start allowed Mamelodi Sundowns to take control of their 5-2 Betway Premiership defeat at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday.

Usuthu were two goals behind within the opening 30 minutes after Brayan Leon and Teboho Mokoena produced two outstanding finishes for the African champions.

AmaZulu responded shortly after half-time when Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya pulled a goal back, but their hopes of recovering were quickly extinguished as Tashreeq Matthews restored Sundowns’ two-goal advantage.

Leon went on to complete his brace, while Bennet Mokoena also scored for The Brazilians to complete a convincing victory. Ngwenya’s effort was AmaZulu’s only reply.

Speaking at the post-match news conference, Zwane accepted that his players had allowed Sundowns too much time and space in the early stages.

“Look, it’s one of those days where I think we started off very shaky and we showed a little bit of respect, and obviously if you show respect to a team of Sundowns’ calibre you allow them to dictate terms and obviously to take control of the game,” Zwane said.

The AmaZulu manager said his team had identified a way to trouble Sundowns, but were unable to make the most of the opportunities created by their approach.

“But I think early in the game we had a few moments where we could have capitalised, just like the first goal we scored, because we knew we had to play those diagonal passes behind them all the time, forcing them to make mistakes.”

Zwane was particularly frustrated that AmaZulu failed to exploit several similar situations after scoring their first goal.

“In the second half, just after scoring, we had about four, five, if not six diagonal situations; we just didn’t capitalise. But I think in the first half, we showed a little bit of respect. I take nothing away from the two goals that they scored, but I think the first goal, we should have done something about it.”

He also criticised the space afforded to Sundowns’ forwards for the opening goal, arguing that AmaZulu’s midfield should have applied greater pressure.

“You can’t allow a striker of Sundowns’ calibre, [with] the players that they have going forward, to have ample time to connect with the ball. One of the defensive midfielders could have at least worked against the ball.”

Despite his disappointment, Zwane praised Sundowns’ finishing and their ability to control matches once they establish a significant lead.

“But two great goals from them. But you know when Sundowns is leading with two goals, they know how to manage the game. You can see the experience, the quality they possess in their squad,” he added.

The result leaves AmaZulu with time to regroup before their next match. They will return to Betway Premiership action next Friday, when they face Richards Bay in the KZN derby.