Kaizer Chiefs in crisis? Coach Zwane not in panic despite another loss

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane said he is not going to go into a state of panic even though his team has yet to collect points in 2023.

Their 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday was their third consecutive defeat of 2023 after losses to Sekhukhune United and AmaZulu.

In being sunk by Neo Maema's 20th-minute goal, Chiefs were subjected to a first-ever Premier Soccer League-era double by Sundowns.

They had lost the corresponding game 4-0 at Loftus Versfeld on 13 August last year.

READ | Sundowns snare rare league double to sink hapless Kaizer Chiefs

Saturday's loss means Chiefs are now 22 points behind Sundowns, but Zwane said they'll continue to work hard despite the adverse results.

"There's always pressure at Chiefs, whether you win or lose, as pressure is part of the game," Zwane said.

"I'm still not going to panic, and we'll keep on working hard because one day, God will answer our prayers as well.

"I believe we could have collected maximum points in this game, but I also believe that when you play good football, when you don't get results, it counts for nothing."

Zwane also gave youngster Samkelo Zwane a start ahead of veteran Siyethemba Sithebe, a selection call that allowed Sundowns to flood the midfield.

When Sithebe came on in the second half, Chiefs had better balance in the midfield, but Zwane the coach justified giving Zwane the player a start in a high-stakes game.

Zwane the coach also said the players were trying their best even though the results weren't corresponding in their direction.

"Samkelo didn't play well, but it wasn't a mistake for us to start with him. He had good games in the past two matches," Zwane said.

"We didn't want to chop and change the team and it was unfortunate that in this game, he