Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane praised Orlando Pirates’ tenacious midfielder highly Miguel Timm, who missed the Soweto derby on Saturday.
Zwane believes the absence of Timm worked to their advantage as they narrowly won the much-awaited fixture in the DStv Premiership 1-0, thanks to a Yusuf Maart strike.
Maart scored a spectacular goal from his own half to catch goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane, who was out of the goal line off guard.
The Buccaneers came into this encounter without one of their top performers, Timm, who has been instrumental in the middle of the park since joining the club at the start of the season.
Timm was suspended after accumulating his fourth yellow card of the season in the second leg of MTN8 semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns a week ago.
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The absence of the 30-year old midfield maestro was welcomed by Amakhosi head Zwane.
Zwane admitted that the unavailability of the anchor man played to their advantage.
“We knew that Timm was out, he has given Pirates a very good balance in the midfield,” Zwane told the media.
“Timm can fight for the ball and he can also play.
“So, whoever they were going to play between Goodman Mosele and Fortune Makaringe, it was always going to play to our advantage.
“That’s why we brought in Nkosingiphile Ngcobo because we knew that Pirates don’t have strength in the middle.
“And also we knew that when we defend, we’ll force them wide to [Monnapule] Saleng who’s is a left-footed player.
“We forced them wide to play crosses because we know they wouldn’t threaten us because they don’t have tall players,” added Zwane.
The Sea Robbers will welcome Timm back in the sqaud when they face AmaZulu in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, 5th of November. Kick off is at 18:00.
