“He Was Going To Die”: Zwane Reveals Brutal Reason For Moving Hanamub Out Of Left-Back
AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane says it was practically impossible to keep Riaan Hanamub as the club’s first-choice left-back this season, claiming the physical demands of the position would have burned him out completely.
Hanamub, who was appointed Usuthu captain at the start of last season, has faced increased competition following the arrival of Omega Mdaka from Stellenbosch FC.
By signing Mdaka, Usuthu aimed to maintain high intensity and relentless energy in the left-back channel. Zwane admitted concerns over whether the veteran Hanamub could continue providing the blistering pace required for their high-pressing system.
To keep the club captain on the pitch without exhausting him, Zwane has transitioned Hanamub into a left-sided center-back alongside Kegan Allan. The defensive tweak paid immediate dividends, as AmaZulu defeated Stellenbosch in their 2026/27 season opener at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday.
“When you look at how we play, Hanamub’s position demands a lot,” Zwane explained.
“When we brought in Mdaka and Keenan Philips, it was because they bring that dynamic energy when we deploy wing-backs. We couldn’t keep using Hanamub in that position. Why? Because if he started there this season—trust me—he would have died along the way. Yet, he plays a massive role within this team, both on and off the field.”
Hanamub previously featured as a left-sided center-back during Usuthu’s KZN Premiership Cup victory two weeks ago, where he was paired alternately with Allan and Sandile Mthethwa.
“He is a player you need out on the pitch all the time,” Zwane added.
“You want him on the field, you don’t want him getting injured, and you need his leadership. Every time he plays, he gives his absolute best.
“We brought Mdaka in for that reason, but we are well-covered in that position now. You’ve also seen Lian Bern adapt to that wing-back role in our structure. In our system, players need to be capable of filling two positions in a single match.
“Our style demands incredible work rate, which is why we rely on energy-filled youngsters. So far, it has worked well for us, and we want to keep growing from strength to strength.”
It will be fascinating to see Zwane’s tactical lineup when AmaZulu host Sekhukhune United in their MTN8 quarter-final clash at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday.
