Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane opened up on the backing he received from Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr prior to the Soweto Derby against Orlando Pirates.
Chiefs went into the derby on the back of a 3-2 loss to Golden Arrows, which heaped pressure on Zwane, with suggestions that the game against bitter rivals Pirates, would determine if he is still the right coach for the club.
Motaung Jr supported Zwane and his technical team amid the backlash from supporters and following Amakhosi's 1-0 over the Buccaneers, 'Mangethe' says going through a rough patch is part of the rebuilding process.
Read: Zwane Opens Up On Struggles Against Ten Men
The Glamour Boys legend also indicated that they are laying a foundation so they can recruit the players who can suit the system and injuries have not helped their cause.
"Like I've always said, the club has a plan and we know that when you start something, at some point you gonna go through some rough patch, it's part of the game because we're trying to lay a strong foundation," Zwane told journalists in a press conference when asked about Motaung Jr's backing.
"That foundation will obviously help us now to bring in players that can easily fit in, in our way of playing. Injuries did not help us, too many injuries, we've lost key players in important games.
"What's key from our side is to focus and keep on working on the plan because there's nothing like to be successful without challenges. Yes, we're facing challenges (but) we cannot come here and complain," he said.
"Last week I missed Dove… I believe whoever was given an opportunity could have done better but you must have seen the difference in managing the distance (against Pirates) and the other game (against Golden Arrows)," he went on.
Read: 5 Key Points As Chiefs Complete Soweto Derby Double Over Pirates
"Sometimes you can take it for granted but just one player makes a huge difference. How many chances Orlando Pirates created? Or how many times did they get behind us? But last week we had a bit of a challenge (in a 3-2 loss to Arrows)," he added.
This weekend, Chiefs travel to the King Zwelithini Stadium to face Richards Bay, the clash gets underway on Saturday at 15:30.
