Zwane reflects on exit, eyes strong league start

AMAZULU head coach Arthur Zwane has pointed to costly turnovers and lapses in concentration as the key reasons behind their narrow 3-2 MTN8 quarterfinal defeat to Stellenbosch FC on Sunday.

- SMISO MSOMI

Usuthu bowed out of the competition at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town after a thrilling encounter that saw the hosts edge past them in extra time. The result ended AmaZulu's hopes of progressing to the semifinals, joining Richards Bay, TS Galaxy and Polokwane City among the weekend's casualties.

Zwane, now in his first full season at the helm, admitted the gameplan was clear - frustrate Stellenbosch in nonthreatening areas and hit back on transition.

For large parts of the match, the plan appeared to work, but sloppy play in key moments let them down.

"We always knew that it wasn't going to be an easy one playing against a well-oiled Stellenbosch team," Zwane said to the media, after the match.