Zwane: “Ngwenya Can Score 20 If He Wants”
AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane says he expects star striker Thando Ngwenya to score every time he steps onto the pitch, boldly claiming the forward can easily reach 20 goals this season.
Ngwenya’s explosive form, however, could make it difficult for Usuthu to retain him past the January transfer window or the end of the campaign.
The 23-year-old Zimbabwean striker—whose previous season was disrupted by a severe fracture—has made a sensational start to the 2026/27 campaign, bagging eight goals in six matches across all competitions. Six of those strikes have come in the league, alongside two scored in the MTN8 quarter-final tie against Sekhukhune United.
Ngwenya’s hot streak was officially recognized on Tuesday when he was named the Betway Premiership Player of the Month for August/September after netting five goals in four league games, beating out TS Galaxy forward Victor Letsoalo and Orlando Pirates defender Lebone Seema for the award.
His exploits have fired AmaZulu to fourth place in the Betway Premiership table with 10 points from five matches, most recently scoring the match-winner in Friday’s 2-1 victory over Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Addressing Ngwenya’s incredible run, Zwane made no secret of his high expectations:
“I wouldn’t want to put Ngwenya under pressure,” said Zwane.
“I’m the type of coach that says one step at a time, one game at a time, but I want him to score in every game that he plays. On Friday against Richards Bay, he actually could have scored three or four.”
Reflecting on Ngwenya’s injury-plagued previous campaign, where he scored seven goals in 19 appearances, Zwane believes the forward was deprived of a landmark season.
“Last season, before Ngwenya was injured, he should have been on 14 to 15 goals,” said Zwane, who is demanding plenty from the striker.
“Opportunities like this, as you saw on Friday inside the box, you take them. He has so much potential. I’m just hoping and praying that he doesn’t get injured.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s half a chance; the ball is up in the air, he becomes aggressive, and he wants to score. We want that.
“I just want to win games, and Ngwenya should be on the scoresheet.
“Trust me, Ngwenya could have easily been the top scorer last season. I’m counting; I don’t know how many chances, one-on-one with the keeper.
“You are saying he has scored eight, but he should be on 11 with the chances he created on Friday. We need snipers; we need those types of players. I’m encouraging him and challenging him because he can score 20 if he wants to.”
Zwane and the Usuthu faithful will bank on Ngwenya to keep his scoring streak alive when AmaZulu host Marumo Gallants at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday.
