Arthur Zwane assesses Usuthu’s 2025 growth

Zwane began the campaign with a relatively younger squad and has had to navigate a steady run of injuries, especially to senior figures in the side.

Despite the challenges, AmaZulu briefly climbed to third place, holding the position for 24 hours before results elsewhere reshuffled the standings.

Zwane says their rise is a direct result of a renewed emphasis on turning home fixtures into guaranteed points.

Twenty-four-year-old goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela was thrust into action after Veli Mothwa suffered an injury late in the first half of AmaZulu’s 1–0 KZN derby victory over Golden Arrows at King Zwelithini Stadium.

Since his promotion from Usuthu’s development ranks in 2020, Mzimela has battled for consistent minutes.

The arrival of Darrel Johnson, who has taken command of the No.1 jersey this season, has further limited his opportunities, and Mzimela has featured just three times so far.

Zwane reiterated that Mzimela remains firmly in the club’s long-term plans as a goalkeeper with significant potential.

"Goalkeepers are not the same as outfield players, and we can't lose hope on the young man because, when you look at him, he has a fantastic profile. Olwethu has played for u/17, u/20, u/23's, and he has been with the CHAN Bafana Bafana team."

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Midfielder Liam Bern has quickly settled into the AmaZulu line-up after a difficult off-field start to his move from Cape Town Spurs.

The 22-year-old’s transfer was held up by a contractual dispute with Spurs.

Since the clearance was finalised in November, Bern has made three consecutive starts, impressing with his work rate and tactical discipline.

Zwane says Bern has shown maturity beyond his years, describing him as a “true professional”.

"He arrived at a time when we needed stability in the middle, and we also had challenges when Mbanjwa was injured. The plan was to build him up slowly, by giving him 60 minutes in his first couple of games, but unfortunately, we didn't have the back up in his position, so we had to throw him in the deep end."

Zwane, nicknamed “10111”, also extended his well wishes to Bafana Bafana ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on 21 December and runs until 18 January 2026.

He says the national team has shown enough growth and consistency to believe they can advance deep into the tournament.