AmaZulu Announce Landmark Youth Development Partnership With Spanish Side Levante UD
AmaZulu has officially unveiled a landmark youth development partnership with Spanish side Levante UD.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, led by club President Sandile Zungu, CEO Snenjabulo Zungu-Ntuli, and Head of Football Strategy Sinesipho Mali.
The event was also attended by DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) head coach Kurt Lentjies and his assistant, former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Mngomeni.
Spaniard Marco Maisano, who is the CEO of Isam 360, was the man behind the whole partnership, and was in attendance. Levante Alejandro Losa as part of the Sporting Direction and Daniel Pastor, the Director of the International Area was in attendance.
As part of their ongoing structural overhaul, Usuthu also confirmed the appointment of former Pirates goalkeeper Thabang Stemmer to their youth development ranks.
The partnership forms a core pillar of AmaZulu’s ‘Vision 2032’ strategy. As the oldest club in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) approaches its centenary year, management aims to field a squad dominated by homegrown KwaZulu-Natal talent capable of consistently challenging for the league title—a goal set when Zungu acquired the club in October 2020.
“Today we are taking another major step forward,” said CEO Snenjabulo Zungu-Ntuli. “This partnership creates a direct pathway from KwaZulu-Natal to the international stage.
“Levante has a proven track record of producing players at the highest level, providing us with an opportunity to bring invaluable knowledge home. Football is evolving rapidly, and our youth development must be modern, technical, and data-driven to prepare players for elite competition.”
While Levante have yet to capture a top-flight Spanish league title since La Liga’s inception in 1928, the Valencia-based club is widely recognized for its high-caliber academy structures and analytical approach to player scouting.
They were promoted to the top flight football in Spain in the 2024/25 season.
