Ofori Sees Improvement Under Duo Coaches
AmaZulu goalkeeper Richard Ofori has seen a huge improvement in the Usuthu side under the dual coaching of Vusi Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane.
However, he still expects a tough encounter against Sekhukhune when the two sides lock horns at King Zwelithini Stadium in a Betway Premiership on Wednesday (19:30).
Usuthu, who came off a 0-0 result when they hosted Golden Arrows in a Durban Derby at Moses Mabhida on Saturday, have quietly gone about their business under co-coach Zwane and Vilakazi, gradually pulling Usuthu out of the relegation zone after the Durban side had suffered a straight three-loss run under subsequently sacked Pablo Franco Martin.
Ofori has been part of that improvement, claiming the number one spot between the sticks, after blunders from captain, Veli Mothwa.
The former Orlando Pirates shot-stopper believes that although he’s expecting an intense clash with the Limpopo side this Wednesday, the team will do all it takes to secure the three points having observed some improvement under the two tacticians.
“Our game against Sekhukhune is going to be tough, we know that. Each opponent that we play in our days – every team is doing well because everyone is fighting for a position so we know it’s going to be tough but we believe in ourselves and we trust the process,” Ofori said.
“I think we are improving and we are doing many positive things in the game. So, we keep on believing and we make sure this coming Wednesday three points will be AmaZulu’s.”
The Ghanaian goalkeeper has registered clean sheets in the last two games, grabbing a victory in an intense visit to Cape Town in a league encounter with Cape Town City.
He however selflessly attributed this achievement to the rest of his teammates, acknowledging the team’s collective efforts in defense while touching on his concerns with their conversion rate on the other side of the field.
“What I will say is that the clean sheet and whatever is for the whole team, we have been fighting and don’t concede. So, it’s for the whole team and the technical team, the goalkeepers, and everyone, it’s for the whole team,” he said.
The former Maritzburg United keeper further expanded in adding, “So, we keep on grinding and then we keep on moving although sometimes we miss as a team. But midfielders can also score, defenders can also score so we move as a team if anything comes, whether joy or adversities of whatever, we move as a team and as a family – and we make things right.”
A victory for Usuthu will see them shoot from 12th position, straight to seventh from 13 to 16 points, replacing Kaizer Chiefs should they lose to Stellenbosch FC on the same evening.
