Mdaka relishing AmaZulu reunion with coach Arthur Zwane

Omega Mdaka says reuniting with Arthur Zwane was a major factor in his decision to join AmaZulu, insisting he never hesitated after the club expressed an interest in signing him.

The 22-year-old left-back moved to Usuthu from Stellenbosch after two productive seasons with the Winelands club. Mdaka joined Stellenbosch in 2024 and made 51 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and providing one assist.

His performances, both defensively and in attack, helped establish him as an important player for Stellies and persuaded AmaZulu to act quickly to secure his services.

Mdaka already knew Zwane from their time together at Kaizer Chiefs, where the pair worked with the club’s DStv Diski Challenge reserve side between 2021 and 2023. The defender also previously attended an assessment at AmaZulu in 2024, although he was not successful in earning a contract at that time.

He said that earlier setback had only postponed his move to the Durban club.

“I wanted to be here. It just delayed a bit. I was just unfortunate to leave and then come back again, but I’m not surprised. I know coach Arthur from development levels. I know what type of a coach he is, so me being here is not a coincidence. I want to be here,” Mdaka told the media.

Mdaka described Zwane as a manager who combines a relaxed personality with demanding standards on the training ground and during matches.

“He is an easy-going coach as a person, but then obviously, during training and match days, he is very demanding. He expects the best out of his players. He is a top coach and [an] even better human being, so it has been great working under him.”

The defender has now turned his attention to settling into the AmaZulu squad and developing an understanding with his new team-mates. He said his early experience with the club had been positive, including the training sessions and his involvement in the previous match.

“It has been a good one if I’m being honest, the training sessions have been amazing. Playing the previous game, I was very happy. I feel like every player coming from outside playing in their new team obviously wants to start the first match of the season for any team,” he said.

Mdaka added that he was working to build chemistry with the players around him as he adapts to his new surroundings.

“I’m getting along with the guys, and I’m trying to form a chemistry with some of the players, so it has been good.”

AmaZulu’s next challenge comes against Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 quarter-final at Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00, with Usuthu aiming to secure a place in the competition’s next round.