Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has given an injury update ahead of Saturday’s Soweto Derby and discussed completing another potential double over their rivals.
Zwane enters the game under pressure after winning just one #DStv Premiership game in 2023 so far and parts of the club’s fans chanting “Arthur must go” after their recent 3-2 defeat to Golden Arrows.
However, despite the club’s inconsistent run in form, Chiefs only sit three points behind their Soweto rivals ahead of Saturday’s derby.
They could complete a second successive double over their rivals after winning the reverse fixture 1-0 thanks to Yusuf Maart’s wonder goal, which means the Glamour Boys have won their last four league games against Pirates.
“That would be sweet obviously,” he said on Thursday.
“But at the end of the day, there is a lot at stake, it’s not only three points. You know what it means, just to be part of the derby.
“We’re gunning for three points, there is no doubt about it. From my side, as a player also I’ve played in the derby and I know what it means.
“The message that I also convey to the players that they should now forget about the noise happening outside there. They must focus on the game-plan and the game itself.
“Because if you focus more on the noise now, by the time the game starts you’re already tired.
“I’m trying by all means as a coach, to make sure that the players stay away from the things that are happening off the field. They focus more on the game and I hope that we’ll be able to grind a result.”
Zwane, whose side has continuously been riddled with injuries, also gave an update from the treatment table ahead of the match, saying that Edmilson Dove hasn’t training with the team as of yet.
“We’re still in the same situation of the previous game, we still don’t know who’s going to be available,” he added.
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“When you look at I think there was a time when we played three games without conceding a goal, getting the chemistry right and the tactical understanding.
“Unfortunately we lost Dove, who got sick so we had to reshuffle the team again and that has been the story of our season.
“We’re just waiting to see who is going to be available. Whether Dove is going to be available or not, or any other players that were also out with injuries [we can’t say] until the medical team confirms who is available and then we’ll take it from there.”
When asked to give more details on Dove’s situation, Zwane confirmed he is still not back in team training.
“Obviously he’s been training, but not with the team,” he explained.
“Remember he was sick, so obviously has been at the gym since last week, just to try and make sure, should he be ready for the game then we know he’s fit and ready mentally and physically [but] he hasn’t been part of the team yet so far.”
The game kicks off at 15:30 at FNB Stadium on Saturday and tickets are still available on ticketpro.
