Mthethwa Out, Zungu Uncertain For AmaZulu’s Clash With Sundowns

AmaZulu co-coach Vusi Vilakazi has confirmed that Sandile Mthethwa will not be available for selection in the club’s next two matches of 2024. This is due to the fact that Mthethwa arrived outside of the transfer window.

Mthethwa was initially registered by Orlando Pirates at the beginning of the season to the PSL. His subsequent release outside of the transfer window period means he must wait until January when the transfer window reopens.

Had the transfer to AmaZulu been completed before the September transfer of the league or January transfer window deadlines, Mthethwa would have been immediately eligible to play for Usuthu.

“Mthethwa will be available in January,” Vilakazi confirmed on Friday, ahead of AmaZulu’s match against Mamelodi Sundowns at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.

In contrast, Bongani Zungu, who also joined AmaZulu, is immediately eligible to play. This is because Zungu was not registered with any PSL club at the start of the season and has been without a club since leaving Sundowns in June.

However, it remains uncertain whether Zungu will be ready to face Sundowns on Tuesday, as Friday marked his first training session on the field with Usuthu.

“To be honest, this is Zungu’s first training session on the field with us,” Vilakazi admitted.

“We’ve been doing gym work on Thursday, so we need to assess his fitness level and make a decision accordingly. If he’s ready, there’s no reason why he can’t play. But if not, it’s not the end of the world, as we have other players who are performing well. We’ll monitor his condition closely.”

After the Sundowns match, AmaZulu will conclude their 2024 calendar with a fixture against Cape Town City at DHL Stadium on 29 December.