THE COACH of MaZulu FC, Arthur Zwane, feels it is appropriate for Orlando Pirates to receive a reward for their persistence in the race for the title of the Betway Premiership league for years in a row.
Pirates, who finished second behind Mamelodi Sundowns for three consecutive seasons from 2022/2023, need three points from Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena, Soweto, tomorrow at 3 pm, to win the league that ended in the 2011/2012 season. Sundowns have won the league title for eight consecutive seasons.
“Yes, anything can happen but in Orlando there is no going back. Sometimes we have to praise where we should praise. When people go over there in Orlando, they get five goals, others get six, we got three,” said Zwane jokingly.
“They (Pirates) are on another level when they play in that stadium. If you look at the last three seasons, they have been knocking, finishing second on the log.
“What we see now in the PSL is the same as what we see in England. I personally do not follow Arsenal, but what I can tell you as a coach is that because of the dedication and determination of Arsenal, they deserve to win the league.
“But as a coach who trains here in the PSL, I can’t say who should win because I’m also an employer who strives to achieve something with the team I coach.”
The Zulus will face Kaizer Chiefs tomorrow at 3 pm, at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban.
According to statistics, Usuthu will no longer be able to move Chiefs to third place which is the gateway to the Caf Confederation Cup. It is fighting to stay in fourth place.
“Even though we still couldn’t finish in third place, but if you look at the work we have done as a MaZulu team, we have surprised many with the squad we have put together with players, most of whom had no experience playing in the Premiership, some of them were playing in the leagues. I don’t care what anyone says, I would die for these guys for the work they have done this season. The main thing now is to fight to keep our fourth place on the log which is the goal we have already set for ourselves as a team when the season starts,” continued Zwane who challenged his players with the game they will play against Chiefs.
“They will have to get rid of their gray hairs and show that they are determined to win because games like this are what build the players and strengthen their skulls. We will be playing at home, it has been a while since we last played there.”