Zwane: World Cup Qualification Will Change Footballers’ Lives In This Country 

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane conveyed his congratulations to Bafana Bafana for securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and shared his thoughts on newly-appointed SAFA Technical Director, Molefi Ntseki.

Bafana Bafana secured World Cup qualification for the first time in 23 years on Tuesday evening, after an emphatic 3-0 win over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium.

Zwane, who spoke to the media ahead of his side’s Betway Premiership encounter with Durban City on Saturday, was quick to convey his congratulatory remarks.

“I think we should be proud as a nation to have our team, the national team, being qualified for the World Cup. You know, it doesn’t happen, you know, quite often. But if it happened, we should be very proud as a nation, you know, ” said Zwane, who was once a Bafana Bafana assistant coach.

“It’s amazing. It’s a great feeling, and it will change the lives of our footballers in this country for the better. We needed this,” added the 52-year-old.

The former Kaizer Chiefs head coach also spoke glowingly about newly-appointed SAFA Technical Director, Molefi Ntseki, with whom he worked at Kaizer Chiefs between 2021 and 2023.

Ntseki has signed a five-year deal with SAFA, having been sacked in March 2021 as the head coach of Bafana Bafana after they failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.  

“I’m happy for him. He’s a great individual as well. He’s very knowledgeable, so well done,” added Zwane.

The AmaZulu mentor has a variety of links with South Africa’s current national team setup, as he’s managed the likes of Mduduzi Shabalala and Tshepang Moremi at club level.

Shabalala made his debut for Bafana Bafana on Tuesday night at Mbombela Stadium, as he aims to stay in contention for both the AFCON tournament in Morocco this December and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 21-year-old has also cemented his place in Chiefs’ starting eleven, as he’s emerged as one of their crucial players this campaign.

“When I see players, you know, blossom, when I see players grow and become, you know, big name players in the country, and knowing that we have contributed as coaches, not only me, but together with other coaches that coach this player, even before me, you know. It’s a life-changing opportunity, because that’s what we want,” said Zwane on Shabalala’s emergence for both club and country.

‘10111’ as he’s affectionately known, will now shift his focus to his side’s clash with Durban City at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday [15:30].