Zungu Breaks Silence On Zwane’s Contract Status Amid Massive Sekhukhune Links

AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu has assured the club’s supporters that coach Arthur Zwane will remain at the club despite growing interest from Sekhukhune United.

Zwane has emerged as a target for Sekhukhune, who are searching for a replacement for Eric Tinkler after his departure from the club.

This publication was informed as early as April that Sekhukhune had already sounded out the former Kaizer Chiefs coach about the possibility of taking over the role.

The situation has become even more intriguing because Zwane’s contract with Usuthu is set to expire in June, after successfully guiding the Durban-based club to a top-four finish — a target that had been set for him before the start of the season.

AmaZulu finished the campaign with 47 points, and had it not been for lapses in concentration in several matches — something coach “Mangethe” repeatedly lamented throughout the season — Usuthu could have surpassed the club’s 54-point record achieved under Benni McCarthy during the 2020/21 campaign.

Zwane’s achievement becomes even more impressive considering he worked with one of the youngest squads in the league, with AmaZulu averaging just 24 years of age this season.

Throughout the campaign, Usuthu remained consistently inside the top eight and, at one stage, even had an opportunity to move to the top of the table, although they ultimately fell short of doing so.

“He will stay, just as we have always intended,” Zungu told Sportswire.

Zungu has previously expressed his admiration for long-serving coaches, once stating that he would like Zwane to enjoy longevity at AmaZulu similar to Arsène Wenger’s reign at Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson’s era at Manchester United.

Interestingly, AmaZulu and Sekhukhune United are set to face each other in the MTN8 quarter-finals next season, with the Durban outfit hosting the encounter after securing fourth place in the league standings.

Whether Zungu’s confidence will remain unchanged heading into next season remains to be seen, especially with interest in Zwane continuing to grow.

Zwane, a former Kaizer Chiefs star who helped the Soweto giants win league titles between 2003 and 2005, joined AmaZulu on 10 October 2024 as co-coach alongside Vusi Vilakazi.

At the time of their appointment, Usuthu were rooted to the bottom of the table following the dismissal of Pablo Martín after losing the opening three matches.

However, Zwane was handed sole responsibility for the team in February 2025 after Vilakazi stepped down for personal reasons.

Reflecting on the turnaround, Zwane previously stated that when he and Vilakazi took charge, their primary objective was to ensure AmaZulu avoided relegation.

The club eventually finished sixth during last campaign, before going on to secure a top-four finish this season under Zwane’s leadership.

Zwane has overseen 54 matches in charge of AmaZulu, recording 21 wins, 13 draws, and 20 defeats.