AmaZulu FC co-head coach Arthur Zwane has come to the defense of goalkeeper Richard Ofori after his mistakes cost the team a win in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Kaizer Chiefs.
The highly competitive match at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday saw both sides battling for dominance. Chiefs took an early lead in the 18th minute when AmaZulu defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele accidentally scored an own goal. However, AmaZulu responded quickly, with Tshepang Moremi equalizing just five minutes later.
The visitors continued their strong performance, and their efforts paid off when Namibia international Wazza Elmo Kambindu found the net in the 60th minute, giving AmaZulu a 2-1 advantage.
However, just three minutes later, disaster struck. Ofori, who had been solid in the first half, mishandled a routine cross, allowing Chiefs to level the game at 2-2.
Despite the costly mistake, Zwane remained supportive of his goalkeeper. Speaking to SuperSport TV, he highlighted Ofori’s overall contribution to the team.
“Unfortunately, football is a game of mistakes. But as I said earlier on, he kept us in the game in the first half. Sometimes, when the pressure mounts, you are bound to crack,” he stated.
Zwane also emphasized the importance of helping Ofori regain his confidence.
“Now it’s our job as coaches to try and help him psychologically because we need him. He’s been doing fantastically well for the team,” he added.
Following the draw, AmaZulu remains in seventh place on the league table with 20 points, while Kaizer Chiefs sit in fifth with 22 points from 16 matches.
