Head coach Steve Komphela has revealed where his side got it wrong as Moroka Swallows suffered a 1-0 defeat to Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby on Sunday.
The Dube Birds' top-four ambitions suffered a setback as Christian Saile's late strike sealed a victory for the visiting Chiefs at Dobsonville Stadium.
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Speaking at the post-match press conference, Komphela explaied where he felt his side lost the encounter.
"The first part of the game we were still not attached to the game. We struggled, We didn't start very well," Komphela said.
"Up until maybe 25, 40 minutes or so, then we started ticking. At that moment think it went to a point where I remember a couple of chances, maybe two or three.
"So, we had two chances one after the other. We also had another entry, the ball played across the goal mark and we couldn't get to the end thereof.
"But upfront, we didn't allow the ball to stick so that we can enjoy the support and play, so that we can create clearer goal-scoring chances.
Three points in the bag plus derby bragging rights ?
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Christian Siale's late goal sees Kaizer Chiefs take all three points in the #SowetoDerby
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"The second half was different. But even within the first half, from a technical point of view. We realised that they (Chiefs) were also building from the back and it gave us a nightmare because there are ways in which we say okay, how can we press from the top?
"From the position of the strikers, in the first instance, we had to manipulate that they (strikers) change the form in the manner that they position in the press.
"After manipulating that, then we came out because then Bruce [Bvuma] was forced to play long balls diagonal to the full-backs. He didn't start from the centre-backs anymore.
"This then allows you to have competition for the ball because any high ball is 50-50 if you can compete. Sometimes they went out with the ball and got to play.
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"Second half it was the same. The difference was that there was more energy, there was more press and smart enough, in every attack we had, there were moments where I felt they (Chiefs) were smart enough to commit fouls, fouls, fouls, maybe to break our momentum?
"There were moments where I felt Moroka Swallows had beautiful passages of play and good football, you see what the intentions were and the effort was there.
"The only thing that was missing was to complete all the construction so that we can score.
"Their goal as well, it's unfortunate that in the game of football, goals are scored from mistakes – we were trying to build from our right side.
"In the process of construction of attack, we lost it and on the counterattack, they caught us with a diagonal ball to the other side on the wing back and then we conceded.
"So, that's how we lost the match. But all in all, I felt we played well and we did all that we needed to do. The only thing is that we couldn't just get a goal."
Despite the defeat, Swallows keep their spot in fifth on the DStv Premiership log table and will return to action when they face Orlando Pirates on Tuesday, 5 December at Orlando Stadium.
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