Arthur Zwane explains why leaving AmaZulu would be difficult amid SAFA interest

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane says he would find it difficult to leave the club, despite reports linking him with a role in the South African Football Association (SAFA) structure.

Zwane joined AmaZulu, also known as Usuthu, in October 2024 alongside the club’s then DDC coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi. He guided the team to a top-four finish in the Betway Premiership last season and has overseen an encouraging start to the current campaign.

AmaZulu are third in the table with 19 points from eight matches, four points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Reports have also suggested that new Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane wanted Zwane to join his technical team.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the draw for the last 16 of the 2026 Carling Knockout Cup, Zwane reflected on the circumstances surrounding his move to AmaZulu and the backing he has received since arriving.

The former coach explained that moving to the club meant leaving a team where he had spent 24 years. He said he had only agreed to make the move after asking AmaZulu president Sandile Zungu to speak to Kaizer Motaung.

“I’ve said it more than once that AmaZulu, when they recruited me, they took me away from the team that I was with for 24 years,” Zwane said.

“So, I was like part of the furniture. I felt at home and when I got a call from the President [Sandile Zungu], the first thing I said was President, I’m willing to join, but please, contact chairman [Kaizer Motaung], and if chairman agrees, I’m on board.”

Zwane said Zungu’s plans for the club convinced him that he was the right coach for the project, which he initially took on alongside Coach Kanu.

“When he explained what he wanted to achieve and the kind of coach he was looking for that project, I felt I’m that coach, together with Coach Kanu at that time,” he said.

“I felt we’re going to make it big. I think as much as we started very slow, we were shaking, but we grew in stature. We grew with the team, and the President gave us that freedom to grow with the players, to understand the environment as well.”

The 2026 Carling Knockout Cup draw provided the setting for Zwane to address his future, but he said the support from AmaZulu’s supporters, management, board and CEO had made the club a difficult one to walk away from.

“With the support that we are getting from our supporters and the management, including the board, the CEO, look, it’s second to none,” he said.

“Hence, it’s not going to be an easy decision for me to just say tomorrow I want to move, you get what I mean. Only time will tell, but trust me, I’m enjoying myself. I’m growing.

“This is a challenge I needed as a coach.”