Zulu looking to build on Sundowns win
Zulu looking to build on Sundowns win

Posted in News, Team News on Apr 27, 2021.

Amakhosi midfielder Philani Zulu put up a strong showing as Chiefs brought Mamelodi Sundowns’ 21 game unbeaten run in the 2020-21 season to an end as Chiefs inflicted a first league defeat of the current campaign on the log leaders defeating them 2-1 on Sunday afternoon. Zulu is now looking to use that victory as a platform to help Chiefs finish the season strongly within the top eight places in the league. He is also wary of his team tuning off ahead of Wednesday’s DStv Premiership clash against Chippa United and is asking for the same kind of showing that they displayed against Sundowns.

“Coming from the weekend’s game against Sundowns was very difficult,” he reflects. “We knew it was not going to be easy, we depended on each and everyone of us including the technical team who came up with a game plan that we had to execute in order to win the game.”

Zulu also commended his teammates for the character they showed against Sundowns and did not let up despite having trailed at one stage in the game. “As much as were on the back foot, coming back stronger in the second half just goes to show that we were more determined this time around and we executed all that needed to be executed and we got the three points that was needed,” he adds.

The midfielder who has played a total of 25 games in all competitions this season which have included 17 league outings, is now asking for his teammates to not get complacent and use the positive outcome of the game to spur them on for the rest of the campaign.

“Our spirits are very high after winning against Sundowns,” he confirms. “As players we want to continue with the form. We do not want to win and then not perform in the following match. It’s not going to be easy in the up coming match against Chippa because they are also fighting for their lives. We also very much in the same space as we want to finish well.”

Zulu would also like to see Chiefs work out their mistakes and take the impetus in matches going forward. “We need to work harder to ensure that we are on the front foot from the word go,” he says.  “All that we have to do now is rectify our errors work more on the positives and what could help us in winning all the remaining games. It’s up to us to execute and keep on working on the positives.”

He also feels that as a team they have the right ingredients to go on and close out their remaining games and gain the points that will see them through to a top eight finish and is pleased with the camaraderie and general team spirit it the squad.

“As a player you have to be grounded at all times, you never know when your next chance might come, so it's up to you to remain positive and keep supporting your teammates at all times because we all play as a team and there’s no individuals,” he concludes who is looking to feature in his 18th DStv Premiership game of the season against Chippa United. “If we all support one another and play to other’s strengths, then we look better as a team. We will be targeting another influential performance which could see us collect another handy three points.”

Wednesday’s game will kick off at 15:00 at FNB Stadium and will be televised live on DStv Channel 202 and SABC radio. There will be updates on Twitter @kaizerchiefs.

Share this article: