AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane described his side’s performance as “horrible” and “terrible” following their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Stellenbosch in the Betway Premiership at King Zwelithini Stadium on Thursday.

Usuthu were overwhelmed by an avalanche of goals from their former coach, Steve Barker, whose side appeared untroubled despite their own 5-0 defeat to RS Berkane in the CAF Confederation Cup over the weekend.

Zwane and his co-coach Vusi Vilakazi wore grim expressions throughout and after the game, completely outclassed by a Stellenbosch side that continues to improve with each passing match.

The victory would have propelled Usuthu into the top eight, but they have slipped to 10th place with 16 points after 10 matches.

“It was one of those days where football can make your life difficult,” said Zwane after the game, whose side have failed to win in the last four home league games. 

“I think we let ourselves down today, we were horrible from the first minute. We started the game a bit slow and didn’t look like we would pick up a little bit. 

“We started allowing them time and space on the ball, dictating terms in the middle. Every second ball, we were just not ourselves and we played the entire first half without having a shot at goal. 

“That alone tells you something was not right. From our build-up phases, we looked at some point we are getting it right but we had too many touches on the ball in the wrong areas. We progressed the ball into creative phase, we still made wrong decisions. 

“We managed to break the lines; we managed to unlock them. But again, we had 3-v-2 situation, 4-v-3 situation, we still went for wrong options. 

“So, all selection of passes were just totally wrong and it was poor decision making. You look at the goals we conceded from the first, no pressure. The player wants to clear the ball with his right foot and clear the ball inside, they got the ball from that moment and we ended conceding…  

“I don’t know what was happening to be quite honest. We were just poor, if I can put it that way. We didn’t come to the party at all. We were flat, just poor and terribly poor.”  

This was the first time AmaZulu had suffered such a heavy defeat in the league since Kaizer Chiefs, Zwane’s former club, inflicted a 6-0 drubbing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in the 2012/13 season.

Another significant loss for Usuthu was a 7-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns away in October 2013.