Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has explained what has been the issue with their goalkeeping department this season, which has been reliable over the years.
Chiefs' goalkeeping department has been known to be one of their strong points over the years but they have been conceding soft goals mostly this season, the last of which was against Marumo Gallants last weekend in a 1-1 draw that dented their chances of finishing second on the table.
Zwane says their challenge is that they are a team that is always on the front foot and their shot-stoppers don't get involved in the game that much and in the few instances they are required, unfortunately the team makes mistakes.
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"I think that's one department we've always been strong, unfortunately this season we find ourselves in a situation where we're conceding cheap goals," Zwane admitted in a Nedbank Cup press conference ahead of their quarter-final clash against Royal AM.
"But it's not only goalkeepers, we're one team that's always on the front foot, our keepers they are not usually hectic (or) busy at the back because we don't allow teams to penetrate us easily.
"But unfortunately whenever we make a mistake we get punished and we make costly mistakes. 80 percent, if not 90 percent of the goals we conceded this season, we scored for the opposition, we gave them manna from heaven," he said.
"And whenever we apply ourselves correctly, we make life difficult, that is why even our goalkeepers at some point they become too relaxed because the opposition does not challenge them that much."
The Amakhosi legend went on and said that sometimes they need luck and was surprised to see a shot by Gallants striker Ranga Chivaviro find the back of the net from a difficult angle.
'Mangethe' also took responsibility for the sloppy goals they have been conceding and says it's up to the whole team to make sure that they rectify things for the better.
"On our side we've been unfortunate. You look at the goal we conceded (against Marumo Gallants) from an awkward angle. I was actually shocked when I saw the ball in the net, I thought the ball maybe hit the side net," he carried on.
"Those are the things that happen in the game, they pose a challenge to us and we can't only blame the defenders or goalkeepers. The entire team, me as well as the head coach I'm responsible to make sure that we change things for the better," he added.
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