AmaZulu FC head coach, Arthur Zwane, is working tirelessly to foster a winning mindset within the squad as he seeks to elevate the club to new heights.
Following his side’s 2-1 loss to TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday, Zwane reflected on his team’s current form and emphasised the need for a mental shift.
A few weeks ago, Usuthu were on the cusp of securing a CAF Confederation Cup spot. Now, they find themselves in seventh place on the Betway Premiership table, with only seven games remaining in the season.
Recent setbacks, including defeats to Mamelodi Sundowns and a draw with SuperSport United, have left the team fighting to stay within the top eight.
Where’s that AmaZulu guy who always trolls Pirates 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ziyakhala manje
“We’re trying to build character, a winning mentality,” Zwane said after the TS Galaxy loss.
“We can’t keep talking about survival. We’ve got to believe we’re more than just a team fighting to stay in the league. We have good players, but we need to change the way we think.”
Zwane’s words were a clear call to action for the team. He stressed that AmaZulu must evolve from being a club caught in a survival battle to one with championship aspirations.
The current focus is on cultivating a strong, resilient attitude that can drive the team forward, even in the face of adversity.
In addition to his work on the players’ mentality, Zwane welcomed a new member to his technical team, Wendell Robinson, the club’s new goalkeeper coach.
Gloves Up, Coach! 🧤 #HebeUsuthu pic.twitter.com/b2UCzXBYDg
Robinson, who had been without a club since leaving Mamelodi Sundowns in December 2024, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Having been at Sundowns for over a decade, Robinson previously served as both the goalkeepers’ mentor and an assistant coach. His return to the KZN side is seen as a major boost to the technical team.
“There’s no doubt that bringing in coach Wendell is a huge plus for the team,” Zwane said.
“He has vast experience and has achieved a lot. We all have a lot to learn from him. He’s used to winning, and you can see he wants to make an impact straight away.”
Zwane also highlighted the absence of midfielder Bongani Zungu, whose stabilizing presence in the midfield was missed against the Rockets.
Zungu plays a key role in controlling the tempo of the game, and while others have stepped up in his absence, Zwane noted that the decision-making in crucial moments has been lacking.
“We missed Bongs, but it’s one of those things,” Zwane reflected..
“When a key player is missing, others must step up. It wasn’t bad from the others, but we lacked that critical decision-making when it mattered most.”
Zwane’s words signal a commitment to not only improving the team’s performance but also instilling a mentality that can drive AmaZulu toward future success.