AmaZulu Set To Retain Coach Zwane For Next Season
AmaZulu are set to retain coach Arthur Zwane beyond the current season, according to Sportswire sources.
The club believes Zwane has successfully restored order to the team, a task that proved challenging for previous coaches such as Brandon Truter, Romain Folz, and Pablo Franco Martin.
Zwane, former head of the Kaizer Chiefs academy, joined Usuthu in October. He was appointed co-coach alongside Vusi Vilakazi following the departure of Martin, who left after a string of poor results.
This came after AmaZulu lost their opening three matches of the season, plunging them to the bottom of the table, placing significant pressure on the former Simba coach, ultimately leading to his dismissal.
Although Zwane and Vilakazi lost their first two matches in charge, they secured a victory in their third game, beating Chippa United and injecting some much-needed positive momentum into the side.
However, Vilakazi, who was promoted from coaching the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team, left on 25 February for personal reasons. Consequently, Zwane was appointed as the sole head coach.
Zwane, a celebrated winger during his playing days at Chiefs, has since overseen eight matches. Under his guidance, Usuthu have recorded three wins, four losses, and one draw, the latter occurring against Polokwane City at King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday.
The draw was marred by a controversial penalty decision, where Thembela Sikhakhane appeared to win the ball first before a follow-through caught a Polokwane player.
Despite the draw, Usuthu maintained their top-eight position and currently sit sixth in the Betway Premiership table with 34 points after 27 matches. They are aiming for a top-eight finish to qualify for the MTN8 next season, a feat they haven’t achieved in the past two seasons.
AmaZulu have one remaining league match against Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 24 May.
However, their hopes of finishing in the top eight are not entirely in their own hands. Several teams with games in hand, including Polokwane City, Kaizer Chiefs, Chippa United, and Marumo Gallants, are lurking behind Usuthu in the standings.
Adding to their challenge, AmaZulu have not defeated Pirates at home since 2009.
