Posted on May 23, 2012 06:00
Some may say that defence is the best form of attack. That may be argued but what is clear is that without a good defence it would be hard to lend a 7th position in the log.
AmaZulu has had a fantastic season in the defence department only letting in 24 goals all season. This is all the tactical work from the goal keeper and the Usuthu defence.
Defenders or backs play behind the midfielders and their primary responsibility is to provide support to the team and to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal. They usually remain in the half of the field that contains the goal they are defending.
Taller defenders will move forward to the opposing team's penalty box when their team takes corner kicks or free kicks, where scoring with one's head is a possibility.
Many centre-backs have the ability to bring the ball out of defence and begin counter-attacks for their own teams, thanks to tactical (game reading, anticipation, positioning, tackling) and technical (passing, vision on the pitch) capabilities.
This is what the Swede coach Roger Palmgren and Graham Johnson who is the goal keeper coach have accomplished with the defensive players of Usuthu. Thamsanqa Sangweni, Carlington Nyadombo, Tamsanqa Teyise, Mxolisi Mayongo, Siyabonga Vilane, Moses Chavula and Philani Kunene are the defenders who make the boys in green and white solid at the back. Then they are carried by the final wall in the form of Tapuwo Kapini.
This accomplishment promises to be a force to be reckoned with in the next seasons to come as AmaZulu will only get better as time passes. Well done to the defence of Usuthu, they surely have been the wall that protects the teams efforts of glory.