Steven Pienaar rejected by AmaZulu in favour of Arthur Zwane and Vusimuzi Vilakazi appointment

FILE - Former Bafana Bafana star Steven Pienaar in action during their 2010 World Cup opener against Mexico at Soccer City in Soweto. Photo: Pierre Philippe Marcou/AFP

FILE - Former Bafana Bafana star Steven Pienaar in action during their 2010 World Cup opener against Mexico at Soccer City in Soweto. Photo: Pierre Philippe Marcou/AFP

Published Oct 12, 2024

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A report has emerged that AmaZulu was offered the services of former Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar following the sacking of Pablo Franco.

Franco was sacked last week after a string of poor results, and after being linked with Benni McCarthy, the club roped in former Kaizer Chiefs man Arthur Zwane and Vusimuzi Vilakazi as their new co-coaches.

Soccer Laduma are reporting that the club approached McCarthy’s agent Rob Moore to inquire about reacquiring the former Manchester United coach’s services, but were told that ship has sailed.

Instead, Moore recommended Pienaar, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, and is currently working with Emirati club Sharjah FC’s under-15s.

However, it’s thought that the club decided against making an approach for Pienaar due to a lack of senior coaching experience. And with the club at the foot of the table, appointing Pienaar was thought to be risky.

Meanwhile, Zwane and Vilakazi will have to hit the ground running if they’re to save AmaZulu, who have begun the new Betway Premiership campaign with three losses on the spin.

However, club boss Sandile Zungu was confident in the duo’s ability.

“Their combined experience as both coaches and former professional players will be crucial in developing our younger talents and guiding our seasoned players in the task ahead,” Zungu said in a statement when announcing the appointments last week.

IOL Sport