AmaZulu set sights on top-three finish and CAF return, says Zwane

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane has challenged his side to secure a top-three finish in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership as the club targets a return to CAF inter-club football.

Usuthu have made an encouraging start to the campaign, and Zwane believes the team’s growing confidence can help them remain among the leading sides in the division.

The former Kaizer Chiefs coach said the positive atmosphere around the squad had strengthened the players’ belief that they could achieve their objectives.

“It’s always good to be in an environment where you enjoy yourself and the players as well. It develops self-belief that things can go our way. So far, so good, we just need to continue where we left off in terms of our last game,” Zwane said.

AmaZulu must now maintain that momentum during a demanding period of the season. The congested fixture schedule has been a major talking point among top-flight coaches, with teams facing a succession of matches in a short space of time.

Zwane said consistency would be crucial if his players were to stay in contention at the top end of the table.

“We need to keep grinding our results. These games, when they come, they come thick and fast, so we need to be ready for each and every game we come across. So far, we want to keep it that way,” he added.

AmaZulu targeting continental football

Although Zwane stopped short of predicting exactly where AmaZulu would finish, he made clear that the club’s ambitions are greater than simply preserving their strong opening form.

“I would be lying if I told you where we can finish. We have goals like any other team, but the league is a marathon. You never know what’s going to happen as the season progresses, but we fancy our chances. We want to compete in Africa next season,” he said.

A place in the top three would mark significant progress for Usuthu and put them back in continental competition. It would also give the current squad the chance to measure themselves against some of Africa’s leading clubs.

Zwane said the team’s development had encouraged the club to set demanding targets, while also pointing to its previous improvement under his leadership.

“As a group, we’re growing in stature, so that will be a very good experience and a boost for this group of players. If you remember my first season with coach Kanu, we finished sixth and the following season, fourth, so we’re always aiming high. We need to improve from last season this season.”