Arthur Zwane’s AmaZulu commitment unlikely to be swayed by Bafana Bafana interest

Arthur Zwane says it would be difficult to leave AmaZulu, despite interest in him joining Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana technical team.

The 53-year-old has overseen an impressive start to the season, with AmaZulu sitting third in the log after six wins, one draw and one defeat. Zwane has also helped create a positive atmosphere around the club, developing an approachable relationship with his squad and staff.

Video clips have shown the coach playing and joking with members of the team during downtime. Those moments have offered an insight into the unity within the group away from the pressure and intensity of match days.

Zwane’s work has attracted attention, including the possibility of him becoming part of Mosimane’s technical team with Bafana Bafana. That move has not yet materialised, but even if an opportunity arose, Zwane indicated that leaving AmaZulu would not be a straightforward decision.

“It’s not going to be an easy decision for me to just say ‘tomorrow, I want to move’. Time will tell, but I am enjoying myself. I am growing and this is a challenge that I needed as a coach,” Zwane explained.

While he adopts a firm approach with the players during matches, Zwane also encourages openness and responsibility within his technical team. He said he does not view himself as the sole authority and wants his colleagues to play an active role in the project.

“I don’t behave like ‘the’ coach around them,” Zwane said. “I treat my technical team as equals; it’s not my way or the highway. When the other coaches handle a session, they feel like they are the head coaches.

“Even when the analysts present their analysis, I give them the responsibility to step up. They’ve done wonders; they are gaining great experience. The environment is healthy because it helps everyone grow. We are growing in stature and as a team.”

Zwane began his tenure at AmaZulu three seasons ago as co-coach alongside Vusumuzi Vilakazi. It has taken until his second full season in sole charge for the team to make a particularly strong start, although he said he always believed the squad would eventually develop into a cohesive side.

“When the president explained what he wanted to achieve and the kind of coach he wanted for the project, I felt I was that coach. Together with coach Kanu, I feel that we are going to make it big,” Zwane said.

“Even though we started slowly, we have grown in stature.”

The coach also credited the club’s president for giving him and his staff freedom to work with the players, while understanding the circumstances around the team.

“The president gave us freedom with the players and understood the environment as well. The support we are getting from both the fans and management is second to none.”