AmaZulu fullback Wayde Jooste says the players have to share the load of responsibility after a dreadful start this season that caused coach Pablo Franco Martin to lose his job. 

Usuthu let go of their Spanish duo in head coach and his Aitor Van Den Brule after a disappointing start of the season, losing all of their first three matches of the season in the Betway Premiership.

The three successive defeats came in the hands of Polokwane City, Kaizer Chiefs and a 1-0 away loss to a struggling Marumo Gallants. 

Jooste admits to the players having done their own self introspection and concedes that they have also had a role to play in the team’s disappointing start of the season. 

“I think as players, after three games and three losses you know, we obviously looked at ourselves as well and we know that we could have done a lot better. Because of the quality that we have and the players that we have we could have done a lot better.” Admits Jooste 

Led by president Sandile Zungu, the Usuthu structures eventually replaced the Spanish duo after lengthy talks with various profiles. 

The club ventured into the co coaching style, calling up recently appointed head coach of the club’s reserve team (DDC), Vusimuzi Vilakazi and former Kaizer Chiefs head of development Arthur Zwane to both head the Usuthu technical team.

A new coaching system usually brings with it new and exciting energy in camp, with players trying to prove themselves once again to be worthy of being a trusted soldier in the field. 

The former Orlando Pirates fullback confirms that the arrival of coach Zwane and Vilakazi has brought with it a bouncy mood within the Usuthu squad as they approach their Carling Cup fixture against Stellenbosch. 

“But you know that’s football, sometimes results just don’t go your way, but like I said now the guys, there’s such a mood there’s such a bounce in the camp and all the guys are just ready to go for that first game,” asserts the 33-year-old. 

Despite still being early days, the former Maritzburg United defender attributes the good relationship between the players and the new coaches to relatable football experiences. 

“It’s really good. I think they can relate to us because they also played, and we can relate to them because they were pro footballers as well. So, we’re excited about the project you know,” asserts Jooste. 

The new Usuthu project faces a difficult challenge as they face the defending champions, Stellenbosch in their Carling Knockout Cup round of 16 fixture at King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday (19:00).