Johannesburg – Sunday’s 1-1 MTN8 semi-final first-leg tie between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium left AmaZulu head coach Brandon Truter delighted with his team’s performance.
The outcome gives Usuthu a decent chance of advancing to the competition’s final and possibly winning its first trophy since 1992. They averted defeat on the road and scored an away goal in front of the upcoming return leg at Moses Mabhida Stadium later this month.
Three red cards were issued by the referee, Victor Gomes, throughout the course of the match.
Truter was also pleased that his team salvaged a draw despite playing the most of the game with 10 men after Veluyeke Zulu was sent off early in the second half. AmaZulu’s Gabadinho Mhango and Chiefs’ Lehlohonolo Matlou were also ejected near the end of the match.
“It was a very positive outcome for us. In Durban, we will attempt to fix the country. “Wherever the Chiefs play, the stadiums will be packed,” said Truter.
“We ask the AmaZulu fans for assistance in this area.” They had difficulty containing us, which allowed us to score. We completely ignored them. There were one or two through balls that Ashley Du Preez sprinted onto, which is how the team returned. At halftime, we led 1-0, and when they scored, we had multiple players around the ball, but we failed to capitalize. They were fortunate for the equalizer.”
Truter’s reputation for utilizing a defensive style of play has earned him the nickname “draw expert” from his opponents. Some have even alleged that the former Swallows FC coach played for draws against better recognized teams.
However, he argues that his team’s goal against Chiefs was to win. Truter stated that his team had to play conservatively in the second half because they were down a man.
“We wanted to win today’s game. We come here to achieve success and take an advantage back with us. After being reduced to ten men, we were forced to make do with what we had. People believe that defending is nothing more than parking the bus, but it is actually an art. It was not simple. Only Chiefs supporters would have believed we could compete with them despite being a man down, he stated.