After a nail-biting 1-0 win against Sekhukhune United, coach Pablo Franco shared his insights in a press conference that highlighted both the triumph and the areas for improvement in the team’s performance.
Franco exuded a blend of contentment and determination in his analysis of a match that ensured all three points in front of a captivating King Zwelithini atmosphere.
“I’m happy with the first 45 minutes,” remarked Franco, exuding satisfaction with the team’s initial gameplay.
“We understood how to play the game, how we showed everyone that we wanted the three points.”
The Spaniard’s pleasure with the team’s performance in the opening half was evident.
The lead, coupled with numerous scoring opportunities, set a solid foundation. However, Franco acknowledged a lingering sentiment: “I missed one more goal to go into the dressing room a bit more relaxed.”
Reflecting on a pattern observed, Franco noted the team’s occasional lapse in control after securing
the lead.
“We let the opposition to dominate us and it’s something that is happening to us often. We lose control of the games, the confidence of playing, and insisting on the things that we are doing well.”
However, he praised the team’s resilience in defence, preventing any conceded goals, and the collective effort displayed until the final whistle.
“The positive thing is that we didn’t concede, that we got back this solid defence, we kept fighting until the end and that everyone was involved even everyone playing few minutes were fighting to keep the lead in. For us, the most important thing is that we got the three points,” emphasised Franco.
Looking ahead, Franco expressed optimism for the upcoming fixtures.
“Now we have two more games at home to finish the year with the confidence of the three points.”
He anticipated an enhanced performance, building upon the lessons learned from previous games.
“In coming from the previous loss, I think we are going to play better football,” Franco asserted confidently.
“Hopefully, we are going to be getting even better results.”
The coach’s balanced assessment encapsulated the team’s strengths and areas needing refinement.
With a focus on building upon the hard-fought victory against Babina Noko, Franco’s resolve to steer the team towards improved performances in the upcoming matches echoed through his words.
AmaZulu’s next league encounters are against Cape Town Spurs on 22 December followed by Royal AM on 29 December as they seek to add to their 18 point tally.
