Zwane challenges Radebe to improve after Bafana Bafana call-up

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane has welcomed Nkosikhona Radebe’s preliminary Bafana Bafana call-up but says the 25-year-old must continue working harder to fulfil his potential.

Radebe has been selected for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Kenya next week after an impressive start to the season. He has provided five assists in nine league matches, the highest total in the division, having also built on his performances from last campaign.

The right wing-back could make the final squad, which Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane is due to announce on Thursday. His opportunity has come as Khuliso Mudau and Kamogelo Sebelebele are both unavailable through injury.

Zwane believes the recognition is deserved but does not regard it as the end of Radebe’s development.

“For him to obviously get the call up, it is a plus, it’s a very good motivation for the player and actually he’s been one of our consistent players but I still believe he can give us more because he’s extremely talented,” said Zwane.

The AmaZulu manager told Radebe that attracting the attention of the national selectors should increase, rather than reduce, the demands placed on him.

“He needs to work harder because once you are noticed by the national team selectors, that means you have now gone closer to the level where everyone can see what you can offer the game but he needs to do better every time and trust me I am pushing him,” Zwane added.

“I am not nursing his feelings because I know what he can give, the club, what he can do for himself.

“There’s many other good players out there. He’s got age on his side, when he gets the call up right now he’ll compete with some of the best players in the country that are in the national team so the ball is in his court, he’s got our support and we’ll always guide him to the right path.”

Maduna making an impact

Siphesihle Maduna has also impressed since returning to AmaZulu from TS Galaxy early in the season. The midfielder came through AmaZulu’s development system and joined the senior side in 2018, before leaving three years ago for Cape Town Spurs and then TS Galaxy.

Maduna featured 31 times in all competitions for the Mpumalanga-based club last season, scoring once and supplying three assists. He has now started the last four matches for AmaZulu, all of which ended in victory, and Zwane is pleased with his contribution while expecting further improvement.

AmaZulu’s strong run has followed a clear approach, according to Zwane. He has become the first coach in the club’s history to oversee six consecutive wins and can extend that record when his side travel to the Western Cape to face Stellenbosch FC in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals this weekend.

Zwane says the results are partly the product of the principles the club has established within its squad.