Zwane banking on Amakhosi faithful to dominate Friday Nights special at Maritzburg

Zwane banking on Amakhosi faithful to dominate Friday Nights special at Maritzburg

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane is banking on the multitudes of Amakhosi fans to outnumber the hosts Maritzburg United at a sold-out Harry Gwala stadium tonight when the two teams meet in a Nedbank Cup last 32 clash.

Maritzburg have made Friday Nights special crowds a sight to behold for South African football and also frightening to visiting teams. Looking ahead to this game, Zwane says he’s been monitoring the Team of Choice and knows what to expect tonight.

"Maritzburg United has been doing very well. It's going to be a different game altogether because coach Fadlu is a great tactitian, he's a very good planner. When you look at their squad as well in terms of how they started and how they're playing now. It's not going to be an easy one for us, they also have a home ground advantage. 

Our supporters are always there to cheer us up and give us that extra boost. So, it's all up to us to make sure that we go on to the next round," he said.

When the results are not forthcoming, the dominance on the stands could mean something different to the Chiefs players on the pitch. Zwane knows all about the pressure of donning the famous gold and black colours, having been in those shoes for over a decade.

"I think when it comes to players it's a case of adaptation. Players learn differently, some find it difficult to settle in quickly because of the pressure that comes with being a Kaizer Chiefs player. It's up to us as the technical team to help them settle in quickly and making them understand the meaning of playing for a team in this level. 

Times have changed and the game has evolved so I can't really compare it to how we used to play and how we use to do things. Players today deal with pressure differently. That's why we have to come in as coaches to help these players do better on & off the field," he concluded.