Kaizer Chiefs utility man Philani Zulu admits that although his side were disappointed to have their Caf Champions League clash with Wydad Athletic Club postponed, it afforded them the much-needed time to reflect on their Nedbank Cup exit.

Amakhosi host Usuthu at FNB Stadium nine days after their Nedbank Cup exit at the hands of GladAfrica Championship side Richards Bay.

The Glamour Boys were supposed to play Wydad in the Champions League this past weekend but Covid-19 concerns in Morroco had the game postponed. This opened up a free period for Chiefs, giving them some much-needed time to train and reflect after playing nine matches between 5 January and 7 February.

With Chiefs now set to take on AmaZulu on Wednesday, Zulu believes their inactivity this past weekend is a blessing in disguise.

‘As much is it was [disappointing] for us not to go and play in Caf‚ it also gave us more time to reflect on ourselves and to prepare more as a team because we needed that,’ Zulu told Chiefs media.

‘Given the time that we had‚ we are looking good and we are looking forward to giving the best as we prepared during the week.

‘Looking at how we played in the last game and getting knocked out of the Nedbank Cup‚ it was sad‚ it was a saddening thing to go through. Now it is up to us to just pick up our feet and look forward to the game on Wednesday against AmaZulu.’

“It is not going to be an easy game. I mean they were playing on Sunday [the 0-0 draw with Swallows FC] and now they will have that momentum going forward‚ and we have not been playing since the previous game in the Nedbank Cup match,’ continued Zulu.

‘So, it is all up to us as players to just keep our feet on the ground and our heads held up high‚ continue working hard and looking forward to the next game. It is going to be a different ball game because now they have more confidence and they play well as a team going forward‚ they can keep the ball.

‘They are a very structured team and they are even more offensive than they were before. So it is up to us to bring our A game just as much as they are going to be on top. So we have to match them in every way and we are very much prepared.

‘Now we are in the final hurdle, we need to collect as much points as we can. We are in the second round, each and every team is gunning to play for maximum points.’