Former Chiefs coach Zwane’s tenure at AmaZulu begins with defeat

Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane and assistant coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi began their AmaZulu reign with a 2-1 Carling Knockout defeat to defending champions Stellenbosch at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday night.

Usuthu started the 2024–25 Premier Soccer League season poorly, leading to the sacking of his former coach Pablo Franco Martin.

Vilakazi, who served as the club’s reserve coach, and former Amakhosi tactician Zwane, who had been demoted to the youth team, were given the task of helping AmaZulu regain promotion.

Zwane and Vilakazi fail in the first test

A game against the Stellies would not be an easy game for the two coaches. Richard Ofori was given his debut to fix the otherwise leaky department due to Veli Mothwa’s mistakes.

It took 24 minutes for the defending champions to break the deadlock when Andre de Jong assisted Mamelodi Sundowns’ Devon Titus goal.

Sanele Barnes and Ashley Cupido almost doubled the lead, but Ofori stood firm in goal. The Ghanaian made some huge stops to keep Usuthu in the game.

Moremi responds, but De Jong breaks AmaZulu’s hearts

The first half ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors, but Usuthu started the second half quite well and hoped to equalize.

Tshepang Moremi answered the prayers of the home fans with his goal in the 53rd minute to level the score.

Since neither team scored a second goal, the game went into overtime. In the 97th minute, Andre de Jong converted Barns’ pass to give the Stellies advance.

Zwane and Vilakazi have a few days to work on the team before they face Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League match to be played at Orlando Stadium on Friday.