Zwane backs Ngwenya, demands discipline from his squad

The Zimbabwean striker has made an impressive start to the new Betway Premiership season, scoring three goals in as many league appearances. He has five goals in four competitive matches, including two in the MTN8. Ngwenya opened his league account with the winner against Stellenbosch, before scoring twice in AmaZulu’s 4-3 extra-time defeat to Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 quarter-final. He then found the net against Orlando Pirates and added another in the 2-0 win over Siwelele.

Zwane believes the 23-year-old has the qualities to become one of Zimbabwe’s leading forwards, and says he wants to play a role in taking Ngwenya to that level.

"He is still young; he is going to reach the level of Musona [Knowledge Musona]. I am his mentor and his coach; I am going to push him to that level," said Zwane.

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"I want Thando, when he goes to Zimbabwe, to be treated like Musona, Billiat, and Peter Ndlovu because he has that potential as a striker. He can score. He's got goals in him. He is not yet at his best right now because the injury he had sidelined him for a very long time, and he came back a little bit sluggish. But because he has goals in him, you know, he is a sniper, so we will work on him."

Following AmaZulu’s 2-0 victory over Siwelele, Zwane also challenged his squad to raise their standards, particularly those fighting for places in the starting eleven.

The coach says players coming off the bench must be ready to maintain the team’s intensity when they are introduced, while also using those opportunities to prove they deserve a starting role.

AmaZulu have collected seven points from their opening three league matches, leaving them among the early pace-setters in the Betway Premiership. 

Usuthu finished fourth last season, three points behind third-placed Kaizer Chiefs, who secured the final CAF Confederation Cup qualification spot. 

Zwane will therefore be looking for further progress this campaign, with discipline and consistency likely to be key to those ambitions. 

The coach says he will continue demanding professionalism from his players, both on the pitch and in their preparation away from matchday.

Usuthu’s next league assignment will be a major test, with Zwane’s side travelling to Pretoria to face defending African champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday, 26 August.

The match is scheduled for 19:30 at Loftus Versfeld, with Usuthu looking to build on their unbeaten start to the league campaign.

Zwane says his team cannot afford to look too far ahead and will instead focus on executing their plans against one of the strongest sides in the country.