AmaZulu co-coach Arthur Zwane has attributed some of their struggles this season to self-inflicted setbacks.
Despite a resounding victory against relegation battlers Magesi FC that saw them reclaim their footing in the league, Zwane remains critical of his side's failure to capitalise on their potential.
On Saturday, the KwaZulu-Natal outfit delivered what can be described as their best performance of the season, overpowering Magesi FC and registering a crucial win after back-to-back defeats.
These vital three points brought AmaZulu up to fifth place in the Betway Premiership, drawing them closer to a coveted CAF Confederation Cup spot with eleven matches still left to play this season.
FULL-TIME ⏰ | #BetwayPremiership 🏆
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) February 22, 2025
A comfortable victory in Durban.#AmaZuluFC 3️⃣ ➖ 0️⃣ Magesi FC#BetwayPrem #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/iO9i8V3Flx
Since taking over the technical head role alongside Vusumuzi Vilakazi, Zwane has implemented a strategy that has yielded tangible improvements.
Under their guidance, the team has achieved eight wins, two draws, and only six losses out of sixteen fixtures. However, Zwane believes their current league position does not adequately reflect their actual capabilities.
“We’re still not happy because we believe we can do much better than what we’re doing now,” Zwane stated.
“You must have seen in previous games that we've let ourselves down, and I keep reminding the players that the only team that can beat AmaZulu is AmaZulu.”
He further elaborated on their recent encounters, highlighting that despite battling formidable teams, such as the nail-biting match against a well-oiled Sundowns side that demanded a late set-piece goal for victory, they often fall short due to their mindset.
“It's just a case of mindset and belief from our players that we can be up there in the league, but we keep beating ourselves,” he added.
Zwane’s insight reflects a deeper issue within the squad, suggesting a need for mental fortitude and consistent belief in their abilities. As the season progresses, AmaZulu will need to harness their evident potential and eliminate the self-sabotage that has plagued them for parts of the season.
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— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) February 23, 2025
One of the shining lights on Saturday was the performance of January signing Nkosikhona Radebe who found the back of the net in his first start for the club.
The 24-year-old defender operated in a right-wing-back role in a structural adjustment from AmaZulu on the night. He dominated the line and was duly rewarded with his first goal in the colours of Usuthu.
A visibly pleased Zwane raved about the qualities of Radebe and the dynamics the former TS Galaxy man offers in the game.
“We always knew that we’ll need certain players that will come and add value to the squad and Radebe is one of those players,” he said.
“We need to obviously wait for the right moment with him because there’s no doubt about his talent. He is a player that can easily fit into any system, he's a very smart player on the ball and can read situations.”
“I'm happy he was able to open the scoring for us and that will boost his confidence and now that's added competition for that position, it's a good headache to have because we need that competition to compete at this level.”