Kaizer Chiefs interim coach Arthur Zwane claims the team are "afraid of playing" after slipping to back-to-back defeats.
The AmaKhosi suffered a 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch on Saturday evening in the Western Cape, leaving the side five points behind second-place Royal AM.
"Ja look we conceded from a counter-attack and in our [pre-match] interview I mentioned that that's their strength. They always want the space behind," Zwane told SuperSport after the game.
"And fortunately it was our corner, I don't think we were set for a counter-attack and we tried to remind the guys, even before the corner was played because we could see that should they clear the ball in the right areas, they could use their explosive speed because they have very good players going forward.
"But obviously we were forced to make changes that would take the game to them, then we had to take 'Rama' [Ramahlwe Mphahlele] out and put on [Kearyn] Baccus to give us that advantage going forward but unfortunately, I think at the moment the boys are afraid of playing.
"We're encouraging them to play. Look it's not going to change overnight, it's going to take some time but I think the last 20, if not 25 minutes we just needed that cutting-edge inside the box.
"So much promising, the movement off the ball was getting there, we'll keep on encouraging them to keep on playing the way we want them to play, feel free and express themselves and when the time is right, they will start banging in goals."
Chiefs will now turn their attention to Wednesday's re-scheduled clash against Golden Arrows.
"Look our first session was on Thursday, so we only had two days to prepare for this game and like I said earlier, things are not going to change overnight, it's going to take some time but we need to play with flair, with confidence, arrogance," he added.
"We need to show that we're Kaizer Chiefs and ja steady but surely we'll get there. We're playing on Wednesday, we have only Monday to prepare, so the games are coming thick and fast but I think we'll manage the boys and make sure they are ready for the next one."
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