Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has explained what worked for them against Royal AM in the Nedbank Cup and "what they really needed" after they progressed to the semi-finals.
Chiefs edged Thwihli Thwahla 2-1 in extra-time time coming from behind, after an own goal by Thabo Matlaba cancelled out Lesego Manganyi's opener and Amakhosi got the winner in extra-time thanks to a penalty by Yusuf Maart.
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Zwane suggested that their equaliser was not due to luck but a result of their high tempo game.
"Because of the pressure we applied we forced them to make a mistake – that's our game; it has been working for us, a high tempo game – which resulted in them scoring an own goal," Zwane said after the match, as per the club's official website.
"From that moment I knew it was going to be us who would get the second goal. We went into half-time knowing very well that we were still in control. In the second half, the half-chances we created could have led to goal scoring opportunities but our finishing let us down, which is an area we continue to work on improving," he said.
'Mangethe' continued and said that he felt the second goal was always coming because Royal AM were starting to get tired in extra-time.
"We went all the way to extra time and, with the way we play, I knew we stood a good chance of getting the second goal because Royal AM's legs were gone," he said.
"We were first to every ball and created chances again. I can't fault the effort of my players."
Zwane added that he's proud of the determination shown by his players to go through to the semi-finals.
"They came here with only one thing on their minds. They wanted to go through to the semi-final," Zwane went on.
"I am actually proud of the attitude they showed and the hunger, dedication and discipline. That's all we needed," he added.
Chiefs have been drawn against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals.
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