AmaZulu Bring Back Their Highly Rated Scout
AmaZulu have brought back their former scout, Ayanda Mkhize, after club president Sandile Zungu expressed his dissatisfaction with player poaching within the club.
It is alleged that Zungu remains aggrieved by the manner in which Usuthu lost Langelihle Phili to Stellenbosch. He is believed to blame individuals within the club for facilitating the move for personal gain, while failing to alert him and the club’s management in time to secure the player on an improved contract.
After dismissing several staff members before Christmas due to poor performance — including DStv Diski Challenge coach Mncedisi Sibiya — Zungu has now decided to reappoint Mkhize.
Mkhize spent several years at the club scouting talent across KwaZulu-Natal but was released under unclear circumstances a few seasons ago. However, the highly regarded scout has now returned after being approached directly by Zungu, who is tightening the club’s recruitment processes to ensure more players are identified both in KZN and nationwide.
Mkhize, who previously recommended AmaZulu sign Endrick in 2022 — the Brazilian who has then joined Real Madrid — will resume his former role as a scout.
It remains to be seen how Mkhize will work with Usuthu’s sporting director, Pedro Diaz, as few have complained about his role in favouring other agents to sign players within the club.
Mkhize is expected to oversee that, ensuring that everything is above board. An agency company, known as Sportswire, is allegedly to have infuriated President Zungu, unhappy at how they are representing his players.
Meanwhile, AmaZulu, in the DStv Diski Challenge, where Mkhize will also focus on talent identification for both the reserve side and the first team, currently sit seventh on the table with 17 points from 12 matches.
In top-flight football, Usuthu are fifth in the Betway Premiership standings with 24 points after 14 matches.
AmaZulu will resume their league campaign after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they host TS Galaxy at Princess Magogo Stadium on 25 January 2026.
