Arthur Zwane urges caution despite AmaZulu’s strong run and PSL award

AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane has warned his side against considering themselves Betway Premiership title contenders, despite being named the PSL’s coach of the month for September and October.

Zwane guided AmaZulu to five wins during the two-month period, a run which has lifted Usuthu into third place in the Betway Premiership table as the league pauses for the international break.

However, the former speedy winger believes his team still has significant progress to make before it can realistically discuss challenging for the title.

> “We still have a long way to go because we’ve only played nine games. The season is still young and there are many aspects we need to improve on before we can say we are going for the league title. We are just taking it one game at a time in humble fashion.”

AmaZulu’s momentum was checked when they were knocked out of the Carling Knockout by Stellenbosch FC yesterday.

Zwane said the squad was still developing its identity, with a number of young players yet to gain extensive experience at top-flight level. He added that matches of such importance would be valuable to their development.

The AmaZulu coach also felt his side had been unfortunate not to reach the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup, but maintained that the players could benefit from competing in more high-pressure fixtures.

“We are still building as a team,” Zwane said. “A lot of our players are young and do not have much top-flight experience. The more games of this magnitude they play, the better they will become.”

Zwane also highlighted the progress of right-back Nkosikhona Radebe and discussed the defender’s potential prospects with Bafana Bafana.

Radebe has impressed during AmaZulu’s recent run, but Zwane believes the player must continue developing if he is to attract the attention of coach Pitso Mosimane.

> “Radebe has been playing very well for us, but I still believe he can do far better but he is moving in the right direction. The coaches at that level know exactly who they want and what they want from the players they choose, and it’s up to them to decide who is ready and who isn’t.”