AmaZulu co-coach Arthur Zwane expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s current position, stating that he demands more from them.

Usuthu moved to sixth place in the Betway Premiership table with 23 points after 17 matches, following a 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night. Rowan Human scored in the first half, and Wayde Jooste added the second in the second half.

This marks a significant turnaround for AmaZulu, who were at the bottom of the table when Zwane and co-coach Vusi Vilakazi took over in October, following three consecutive losses under former coach Pablo Franco Martin.

“Being in that position right now doesn’t mean we are safe,” Zwane replied to Sportswire’s question after Friday’s game. “We still have a long way to go; we still have a lot to play for. We are not going to limit ourselves; we want to be in a better position by the end of the season.”

“Trust me, the last eight games of the league are not going to be easy,” he continued. “It is very key for us to grind out results right now and start planning, which will help us immensely, rather than relaxing now with the hope that things will be in our favor. Football is not about that.”

Zwane emphasized the importance of capitalizing on opportunities, citing their game against Gallants as an example. “Once you catch the opposition like they (Gallants) came today, flat, understanding that they just played against Richards Bay (on Tuesday and lost) and they are traveling, it also took a lot from them. So, we have to make sure that we take those chances because goals will count, and points will count.”

“We are not satisfied; we feel we deserve better,” Zwane stated. “When you look back at how many games we dropped points…we shouldn’t drop points. Here, at home, in the last minute of the game against Mamelodi Sundowns, a top team in the country, actually in referee’s optional time, we conceded from a dead-ball situation. So, that is a lapse of concentration, and we can’t be happy where we are right now. We still have to dig deep; we still have to play; there is a lot to play for.”

“As I said, we give credit to the players; we commend their effort and commitment, but we can’t be satisfied,” he reiterated. “The only time we are satisfied is when this team lifts a cup, and we can say, ‘Now at least we are champions of something,’ or ‘Now we are in position two or three, and now we can compete.’ Everyone wants to succeed in life. But if we limit ourselves and are happy about being in position six, we are in the wrong place. Because a team of AmaZulu’s caliber, with all the structures from development to the first team, the investment that has been put in by the club’s ownership, we still deserve better.”

Under Zwane and Vilakazi, AmaZulu have played 14 league matches, winning seven, losing five, and drawing two.

AmaZulu and Gallants will meet again in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 at the Dr. Molemela Stadium next weekend.