We let ourselves down – Zwane
We let ourselves down – Zwane

Posted in News, Youth Academy on Apr 08, 2019.

Kaizer Chiefs Reserves had full control of proceedings but their leaky defense, especially on set-plays, robbed them of a victory against Bidvest Wits Reserves in a highly entertaining MultiChoice Diski Shield match played on Sunday.

Wits eventually won the battle in a feast of goals – the clash ended 3-5 at the Dobsonville Stadium.

“You could see that they planned to benefit from dead-ball situations,” reflected Chiefs Reserve side coach Arthur Zwane.

“We let ourselves down. It’s unbelievable how we lost this match. Credit to them though, they set back and caught us napping with corner kicks.”

Amakhosi showed from scratch, with good passing and shots at goal, that they meant business. Sizwe Twala broke free to make it 1-0 in the 14th minute of the match.

It looked from there on that Chiefs would cruise to a win, but Wits had other ideas. They took a corner in the 16th minute, which resulted in Njabulo Blom netting an own goal to make it 1-1.

Twala got his second in the 29th minute, only for Wits to once more equalise from a corner kick situation, scoring the 2-2 in the 38th minute.

The MultiChoice Diski Challenge top goalscorer, Twala, continued his form in the MultiChoice Diski Shield (MDS), securing his hat-trick with a scorcher on the stroke of half-time. It means that Chiefs went 3-2 into the break.

Tables turned in the second half with Wits scoring three goals – in the 47th, 54th and 88th minute.

To salvage something out of the match, coach Zwane called on the services of super-sub Reamohetswe Lekoatsa (58th minute, Sabelo Radebe out), Sifiso Mabanga (76’, Lebohang Lesako out) and Yaseen Bunting (79’, Itumeleng Shopane out).

Chiefs threw everything upfront trying to go all out for the equaliser. However, it was Wits that pulled the plug in the 88th minute of the fast and furious encounter, 5-3. Three minutes of the referee’s added time could not rescue Chiefs from the unexpected loss.

“We gave them the game away,” lamented a visibly disappointed. “We conceded all the goals from dead-ball situations. That shouldn’t have happened. It was a bad day at the office.”

The loss means that the final group stage match, against Orlando Pirates, will be a must-win. Defending MDS champions Chiefs equal Wits with three points, while the Buccaneers are on top of Group A with six points.

The final group stage matches will take place this coming weekend at a festival played at Hammersdale Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal.

 

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