Arthur Zwane’s time to shine has come – that’s why he must duly step up and grab the opportunity with both hands at AmaZulu in the next few months!
Usuthu announced earlier this week that co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi has resigned with immediate effect, leaving Zwane as the sole head coach.
Vilakazi’s resignation was bizarre given the fact that he seemed to have a healthy working relationship with Zwane as the team is in the top half of the Betway Premiership standings.
𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: AmaZulu FC announces the resignation of Co-Head Coach Vusi Vilakazi 👉🏾 https://t.co/q0VtZECcjn 📲#Isagila #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/wzfuE2dmnW
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) February 25, 2025
But be that as it may, Zwane cannot afford to moan around for the departure of his colleague. Instead, he must pick up the pieces and show his coaching prowess.
“10111”, as Zwane is affectionately known, previously cut his coaching teeth in the top-flight at Kaizer Chiefs. But that didn’t end well.
He was demoted after just one season at the helm following a poor run of form. A feat that saw many question his coaching qualities in the big league after a spell in the reserves.
But you see, yours truly has always been a fan of Zwane, especially having followed his coaching career from the reserve right up to the senior team in the last few seasons.
In the reserve, he didn’t focus much on the result as he wanted his players to focus more on the basics and being able to play the “Chiefs way”
And given the rise of players such as Bruce Bvuma, Njabulo Blom and Mduduzi Shabalala, who are now regulars in the first team, it seems Zwane mastered his craft.
His stint at AmaZulu also required him and Vilakazi to not only get the result, but to continue getting the best out of the team and the players.
Rowan Human – a former youth player – has rediscovered his form as he has shown some impressive performance in the last few months, proving the impact of the duo.
Nkosikhona Radebe, 24, made an impressive full start for the team over the weekend as he scored his first game for the team since joining TS Galaxy during the summer transfer window.
However, Zwane and Vilakazi didn’t only get the best out of the youngsters, but the senior guys as well, including Bongani Zungu who was out for some time.
Zungu, 32, is arguably one of the most talented midfielders in the top-flight. And when he’s match fit and in form, he’s a joy to watch.
He arrived at Usuthu having been released by Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of last season, and given that he’s showing his hunger to play football he’ll assist Zwane as well.
So you see, that’s why I have already felt that Zwane was misjudged for his coaching attributes when he didn’t succeed at Chiefs especially given his no-nonsense taking attitude.
Just recently, Zwane was upset after their 4-2 loss to Sekhukhune United away from home recently, saying there’ll come a time when he won’t defend his players as they don’t seem to be learning from their mistakes.
And so, given his ability to be vocal and air out his frustrations, that’s why I always thought that he should consider leaving Chiefs entirely to go and get some top-flight coaching experience in a team where they’ll be less pressure in the league.
Coaching a club of Usuthu’s calibre comes with its own pressure, and not only because they are one of the biggest clubs in the land, but due to the ambitions of club president Sandile Zungu as well.
But Zwane seems to be in good stand to handle that especially given that foundation that he and Vilakazi laid, and the trust that he’s getting from the players.
