AmaZulu had the opportunity to upset champions Mamelodi Sundowns and deserved at least a point from Tuesday’s home loss, their coach Arthur Zwane insisted after the clash.
The Durban club were beaten 1-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium by Sundowns, who went top of the Betway Premiership with the victory while leaving AmaZulu in fifth place, eight points behind.
“I think we were close to executing the plan. I believe we could have done better when I look at the chances that we created,” said Zwane.
“Had we converted one in the first half, it could have been a different game altogether. But it wasn't to be. Football is a game of mistakes, but this is one game I wouldn't want to criticise my players. I would rather give them credit even though I'm disappointed that we lost.”
Sundowns secured all three points when Marcelo Allende netted six minutes from the end.
Zwane said Sundowns had the advantage of being fresher than his side coming into the league clash.
“Over the weekend they made 10 changes (for the Nedbank Cup tie against TS Galaxy), so obviously they were fresher when it comes to that. It’s a team that's very, very, very comfortable with the ball, highly, highly technical.
"So, we needed to manage that. We needed to play for moments rather than chase the ball around and be too stressed to allow them to have time and space on the board.
“We also had to be aware of them trying to run behind us because they're very good at doing that. We did manage the space in front and behind.
“I believe we, at least, deserved a point. We had a great chance in the dying moments with a free header, with about three or four players, with the keeper, but we did not take it. And when you look at how they scored, they scored from half a chance.
“But yeah, we played against the quality side, and I'm just disappointed that we did not get something out of this game. But we take the positives and move on,” Zwane added.