Arthur Zwane admits Kaizer Chiefs’ goalkeeping challenges this season

By Velile Mnyandu
13th April 2023

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has conceded that their goalkeeping department has not been their strongest area this season, as was always the case in the past for Amakhosi.

According to statistics, Chiefs have faced fewer shots at goal than most teams in the league, but their ratio of goals conceded is more than most in the top eight.

Speaking to the media at the Premier Soccer League headquarters earlier today, ahead of their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal against Royal AM at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday, Zwane admits they’ve struggled in this department.

"I think that's one department that has always been strong in the team. Unfortunately, this season we find ourselves in a situation where we're conceding cheap goals," he admitted.

"But it's not only goalkeepers [at fault], our defense as well. I'm glad that you also mentioned stats – we are one team always on the forefront, and our 'keepers aren't usually hectically busy at the back there because we don't allow teams to penetrate us easily.

"Unfortunately, whenever we make a mistake, we get punished – and we make costly mistakes. If I'm not mistaken, maybe some of us here in this room will attest to that, 80 percent – if not 90 percent – of the goals we conceded this season, we scored for the opposition, we gave them a manor from heaven, they did not work hard [for it].

"Whenever we apply ourselves correctly, we make life difficult, and that is why even our goalkeepers, at some point, become too relaxed because the opposition doesn't challenge them that much. But when we make a mistake, we get punished."

Chiefs have fielded all three experienced goalkeepers this season in Bruce Bvuma, Itumeleng Khune and Brandon Peterson.

Zwane believes luck has often deserted them but accepts the responsibility of the technical team to improve the situation.

"And it comes with luck as well. Obviously, you need that. You work hard and create your own luck, so we've been unfortunate when it comes to that.

"As I said, we can't only blame the defenders or the goalkeepers, it's the entire team. Me as well, as the head coach, I'm responsible to make sure we change things for the better."