Chiefs boss Zwane glad to end losing streak against 'hoodoo team' Royal AM

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane was elated after the club ended their three-game losing streak against their hoodoo team Royal AM with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Sifiso Hlanti scored the opening goal as Zwane brought on new signing Christian Saile Basomboli, who assisted Ashley Du Preez in scoring the second goal.

"It was never going to be an easy game; they've always been our hoodoo team, and we wanted to break that ice as well in many ways," said Zwane.

"We've never beaten them, we've never won a game this season (year), we've never scored a goal, so this game was for us to turn things around." 

Since Royal AM renamed, relocated and bought the Premier Soccer League (PSL) status from Bloemfontein Celtic in 2021, Amakhosi have not been able to register a victory over the KwaZulu-Natal outfit.

But how did Zwane get it right this time around?

The coach explained their game plan was to neutralize Royal AM star defender Ricardo Nascimento.

"It worked (out) for us, and we also planned not to allow Nascimento on the ball because he can pinpoint the runners," said Zwane

"He's more like a centre-back, but those dangerous ones when he's got the ball, to pick the right players at the right time, and we wanted to nullify him, and it worked."

Meanwhile, Zwane also praised debutant Basomboli as he made a glowing impact coming on as a substtute.

"Look, he gave us the extra oomph we were looking for, we were so much aggressive, we gave them no space, we were pressing them, we knew that we'll win that midfield battle, we just needed to be a little bit aggressive going forward.

"When he came on, he gave us that; that's why we managed to score the second goal."

Chiefs will return to action on Sunday against TS