Arthur Zwane has expressed concern over AmaZulu’s defensive lapses in their 4-2 defeat to Sekhukhune United, urging the team to take full responsibility for their “sloppy” defending.
The match, played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday, saw Usuthu looking on course for a 2-2 draw until a late double from Linda Mntambo handed all three points to Sekhukhune.
The match began with Etiosa Ighodaro putting AmaZulu ahead early on, but Sekhukhune’s Andy Boyeli responded by equalizing in the 24th minute. As the game progressed, Keletso Makgalwa who was awarded the Man-of-the-Match award gave the home side the lead for the first time in the 53rd minute. However, Elmo Kambindu leveled the score for AmaZulu in the 78th minute, setting up what appeared to be a hard-fought draw. But Mntambo’s clinical finishes in the final ten minutes (81st and 86th) secured the win for Sekhukhune.
Reflecting on the match, Zwane told IOL: “It is a worrying factor. For the fact that as a defender, you know already coming here we had been conceding silly goals, but then you come here and concede goals like this.
“Obviously it’s one of the things that we need to work on, actually, we are working on it.
“(The problem is) sloppy defending. You know I am one person that usually protects players, but we can’t carry on like this.
“We can’t concede goals like this and expect to be a better team. So yes, we’ll take responsibility as the coaches, but the players also need to come to the party.”
He emphasized the need for greater focus and discipline in AmaZulu’s defensive play, acknowledging that the team had the opportunity to secure at least a draw, but failed to close out the game properly. Eight-placed AmaZulu are next in action at home to Magesi on Saturday. Kick off at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium is set for 20:00 local time.