Chiefs only recently returned to training following an emergency decision to temporarily close the club’s headquarters in Naturena in the wake of a severe Covid-19 outbreak that affected more than 35 employees as it swept through the camp.
As a result, Chiefs were unable to fulfil their fixtures against Cape Town City and Golden Arrows, but were able to put a team together to play Sekhukhune United at the FNB Stadium on Sunday.
With Chiefs still managing to clinch an important 2-0, Zwane explained how challenging it was for some players to push through a full game.
“It was been a very, very tough fortnight coming into this match,” said Zwane. “The players returned to training in drips and drabs. We produced a good performance this evening. I never thought they would play for 90 minutes. Credit to the boys.”
“I think we planned very well, and it worked for us. We had a good first half, but we knew that in the second half, energy levels would drop. When that happened, we could start making mistakes, so we had to beef up the defence. We already had that advantage of scoring first.
“This is a big league, so if you get the opportunity to score first, it is an advantage especially given the situation we find ourselves in as a team.
“We knew that our players, as one could see in the last 20 minutes, started cramping. (Defender) Reeve Frosler was not even comfortable breathing. We were forced to make changes which is something that we anticipated.
“We did not expect such a good performance, especially as we could not prepare thoroughly as we would have loved to like we usually do.
“Everything happens for a reason, and we thank God for giving the boys the strength, considering where we come from.”
