AmaZulu co-coach Arthur Zwane has identified improving the team’s goal difference as a key objective, acknowledging their vulnerability in defense.

Zwane admitted that “silly goals” have plagued the team, citing their 5-0 home defeat to Stellenbosch as a particularly alarming example of defensive disarray.

AmaZulu, under the co-coaching leadership of Zwane and Vusi Vilakazi, have conceded 26 goals while scoring 23, resulting in a negative goal difference of three.

Marumo Gallants currently holds the dubious distinction of having conceded the most goals in the league (30).

Despite their defensive woes, AmaZulu’s 3-0 victory over Magesi FC at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday night propelled them to fifth place in the league standings. They now have 26 points from 19 matches, just one position below their stated goal of a top-four finish.

The win also marked AmaZulu’s third consecutive home victory in the league. However, Zwane emphasized the urgent need to address their defensive lapses to secure a top-eight position.

“We have conceded some silly goals, we have let ourselves down on so many occasions,” said Zwane.  

“We are trying to rectify that. I think Saturday’s game gave us an opportunity to sort of like rectify the mistakes in terms of closing the goal difference. 

“We do have a goal in us, but there is no doubt we haven’t been defending well.” 

Against Magesi, Zwane employed a three-man defense consisting of Sandile Mthethwa, Taariq Fielies, and Abbubaker Mobara. Riaan Hanamub, captaining the side in the absence of Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Veli Mothwa, operated as a left wing-back, complemented by new signing Nkosikhona Radebe on the right.

Radebe was among the goal scorers on Saturday, as AmaZulu scored three league goals for the second time this season.

“We played three games and we didn’t concede at some point,” continued Zwane. 

“But when we concede, we concede three, four or five and instead of scoring five (we don’t score). 

“Because all the goals that we conceded they come from our turnovers, where we have numbers in attack and just a selection of a pass, the ball carrier can pick the right player at the right time. As I said, you will suffer from that. 

“Because we are not a team that wants to sit back. A team of AmaZulu’s caliber, we want to pose fear to the oppositions.  

“But, yes, sometimes, tactically the oppositions are much stronger in these areas. But we want to also send a strong message to other teams so, whether you are a good team or not, if you come to us and be vulnerable, we have to punish you.”