Siphiwe Dlamini
A recent report has revealed that former Bafana Bafana captain, Steven Pienaar, was considered by AmaZulu Football Club following the dismissal of coach Pablo Franco. The decision came after a series of underwhelming results left the club struggling in the Betway Premiership, prompting a managerial reshuffle.
Franco’s departure, announced last week, followed a string of poor performances that saw AmaZulu languishing at the bottom of the league table. In response, the club swiftly moved to bring in a new coaching team, initially exploring several high-profile options.
Benni McCarthy No Longer an Option
One of the first names linked with the vacancy was Benni McCarthy, the former AmaZulu coach and current first-team coach at Manchester United. According to sources, AmaZulu management approached McCarthy’s agent, Rob Moore, to inquire about the possibility of his return to the Durban-based club. However, they were informed that McCarthy was no longer available.
“That ship has sailed,”
Moore reportedly told the club, signaling that McCarthy’s future remains firmly rooted at Manchester United.
Steven Pienaar Recommended
Following the club’s unsuccessful bid for McCarthy, Moore instead proposed Steven Pienaar for the role. Pienaar, a former captain of South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, holds a UEFA Pro Licence—one of the highest coaching qualifications in world football. Currently, he is working with Sharjah FC’s under-15 team in the United Arab Emirates.
Despite Pienaar’s impressive credentials, AmaZulu management ultimately decided not to pursue the recommendation. According to reports, concerns over his limited experience in senior coaching roles played a significant part in the club’s hesitation. Given AmaZulu’s precarious position at the bottom of the table, appointing a coach with little experience at the top level was seen as a considerable risk.
A Fresh Duo at the Helm
With Pienaar ruled out, AmaZulu opted to appoint Arthur Zwane, a former Kaizer Chiefs coach, and Vusimuzi Vilakazi, to steer the team forward as co-coaches. Both men bring with them a wealth of experience from their playing and coaching careers, and the club is hopeful that the duo can guide the team out of their current slump.
Zwane and Vilakazi face an immediate challenge: AmaZulu has begun the new Betway Premiership campaign with three consecutive losses, and the pressure is mounting to turn their fortunes around. The new coaching pair will need to act swiftly to stabilize the team’s performance if they are to avoid a prolonged relegation battle.
Confidence from the Club’s Leadership
Despite the daunting task ahead, AmaZulu’s leadership remains optimistic about the future. Club chairman, Sandile Zungu, expressed confidence in the abilities of Zwane and Vilakazi, highlighting their combined experience both on and off the field.
“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 stated in a press release, underscoring his belief in the new coaching team.
As AmaZulu look to climb out of the bottom ranks of the league, the focus now shifts to how Zwane and Vilakazi will manage the team’s current crisis. Fans will be hoping the duo can quickly bring stability and a renewed sense of direction, especially with the club’s long-standing ambitions to be a competitive force in South African football.
While the decision not to appoint Pienaar may leave some fans wondering about what could have been, it is clear that the club’s management is keen to prioritize experience over sentiment, particularly as they face one of the toughest challenges in recent years.
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