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AmaZulu co-coach Arthur Zwane says Ghanian international and former Black Stars captain Richard Ofori remains one of their key players.
Ofori, produced a clean sheet against Marumo Gallants and made some good saves too, as Usuthu comfortably won 2-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Zwane says together with his co-coach Vusumuzi “Kanu” Vilakazi, they will never crucify Ofori after being involved in two howlers the week before, when AmaZulu drew with Kaizer Chiefs, because they know what he’s done for the team.
"You know Richard, has been one of our best players ever since we came on board, myself and coach Kanu. He kept us in the game on many occasions, he's been outstanding therefore we cannot crucify him or destroy him when he's only made two mistakes or three mistakes,” Zwane said.
“Football is a game of mistakes. He has played a very huge role, his presence, you know when he's there you are covered in many ways. He's a big boy, he's an international player.
“He knows why he is here and moreover he's one person that is very focused. Spiritually also he’s very powerful. So, I know people who are spiritual don't succumb to any pressure.
“They can make mistakes because it's the nature of football for us to make mistakes even as coaches and players as well but it's always how you come back after a setback."
This was Ofori’s fourth clean sheet since he joined Usuthu towards the end of last year and his arrival coincided with the new era of Zwane and Vilakazi taking over.
Zwane says Ofori has been a big part of the run of seven wins, two draws and six losses in all competitions and says they need to convert their chances and put their defense and goalkeepers at ease.
"Like you said, you mentioned the save that he made there, now you can imagine had we conceded you know the last seven minutes would have been difficult for us. It's like you allow people who are already dead, you bring them back into the game,” the coach added.
“And I always say to players, in real life when someone is down there, you give him a helping hand in real life because you don't want to see other people suffering but in football when someone is down there you push them further down because when they get the same opportunity against you, they make sure you don't come back."
