AmaZulu defeat Marumo Gallants; Arthur Zwane prepares for Limpopo match

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane issued a warning to his players after the team secured a narrow 1-0 victory over struggling Marumo Gallants at Princess Magogo stadium on Saturday afternoon during the Betway Premiership tournament.

This win marked AmaZulu's sixth match of the championship, allowing them to accumulate 13 points and level with defending champions Orlando Pirates, who played one fewer match. Both teams trail African champions Mamelodi Sundowns by seven points; the latter have played eight matches and managed a last-minute draw with Chippa United.

Zwane would typically note that securing three more points would keep them in the lead race, but he strongly advised his players not to lower their standards as the season progresses. After the match, Zwane expressed regret, stating: 'Instead of performing correctly, being focused and imposing our presence, we actually slowed down and allowed opponents to dictate terms from time to time.'

He added: 'I must honestly praise the players for pulling off this result, but I know we could have done better. We set the performance standards ourselves, and this is one game we want to quickly forget. However, on a positive note, we must ensure we continue to play as well as we started winning matches.'

Zwane is right to caution his team against complacency, as they are currently maintaining their level thanks to the impressive form of Zimbabwean striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenyi. He scored his seventh goal of the season in August as the PSL player of the month.

The coach emphasized: 'We had great opportunities that we could have taken to increase the score. I cannot blame the players for their effort because ultimately, the goal was to get the maximum number of points, but I do not want us to lower our standards. We must make life difficult for any opposition when they come to AmaZulu.'

The self-assessment extended beyond the players to the coaching staff. Zwane stated: 'Regarding the issue you saw today, we cannot blame only the players. It might be related to training or somewhere else where problems begin. Even we, as coaches, must check ourselves regarding 'What did we do differently last week? Why did the energy level drop so sharply during the game?', since today we simply did not meet our usual playing style.'

Zwane's assessment is accurate, as the situation could have been different for the Durban side against a team that hadn't lost (four losses and two draws in six matches). Following the dismissal of coach Futi Mohafe mid-week, Gallants was led by 37-year-old Matome Matiane, who recently retired as the club's central defender. AmaZulu's next opponent will be Polokwane City, while Gallants will host Pirates next week.

It is reported that the Safa team is close to signing Arthur Zwein as Pitso Mosimane's second assistant in the 'Bafana Bafana' national team.

Mosimane took over the team leadership at the beginning of this month, replacing Hugo Bruus. He quickly brought on board trusted staff members Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoa, who will continue to share their experience as analyst and physical fitness coach, respectively.

The former 'Mamelodi Sundowns' coach further strengthened his technical team by appointing Moren Ramoreboli as his first assistant after he left the position of head coach of the Botswana national team.

News emerging this week indicates that Zwein is ready to join Mosimane's team on a part-time basis. According to available information, he will continue to lead the 'AmaZulu' team while fulfilling the duties of Mosimane's second assistant. Furthermore, he will oversee the work of the U23 youth team, helping integrate young players into the senior squad.

Zwein has experience working with youth. His impressive period at 'AmaZulu' was a result of nurturing young talents and helping them adapt to the high demands of professional football.

He began his coaching career in the youth structures of 'Kaizer Chiefs', where he played an important role in promoting young players who subsequently moved to Europe or became full members of the senior team.

If Zwein takes this position, he returns to the 'Bafana' squad, as he previously worked as an assistant to the current technical director Molefe Ntseki.

Much has changed since then—after Bruus qualified the team for two continental tournaments in a row and for the World Cup, where they historically reached the 32nd round. Therefore, Mosimane is under pressure to maintain this momentum.

Mosimane will begin his term with the CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 30, and four days later he will meet Eritrea at the neutral Al-Salam stadium in Cairo. Then 'Bafana' will conclude the international window with a friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on October 4.