Zwane backs AmaZulu striker Ngwenya to reach Musona and Billiat heights

AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane believes rising forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya can develop into a prolific scorer in the mould of Zimbabwean stars Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat.

The 23-year-old has made an impressive start to the campaign, scoring five goals in four appearances across all competitions. His latest contribution came in AmaZulu’s 2-0 win over Siwelele FC at the weekend, a result which moved Usuthu up to third in the Betway Premiership standings.

Zwane, who previously managed Kaizer Chiefs, says he intends to play a central role in Ngwenya’s development and help him establish himself among the leading Zimbabwean footballers to have made their mark in the Premier Soccer League.

“Thando is still young, but I want him to reach the level of the Musona’s,” said the former winger after their weekend win over Siwelele FC.

“I am his mentor and coach, and I will push him to reach that level. When he returns to Zimbabwe, I want him to eventually be regarded in the same way as the Musonas, Khama Billiat and Peter Ndlovu because he has the potential to reach that level.”

The praise represents a notable change in tone from Zwane, who had criticised Ngwenya publicly only three days earlier. The coach described the striker as a “lazy thinker”, despite the forward’s strong performances and his efficiency in front of goal.

Ngwenya’s recent scoring run has quickly made him one of the most talked-about young players in the AmaZulu squad. Zwane now believes the striker has the natural ability to follow the path of Zimbabwe’s most successful PSL imports, provided he continues to improve under his guidance.

Billiat is among the most prolific foreign scorers in PSL history, having registered 97 goals. Musona, meanwhile, scored 44 league goals during his spells in South Africa and built a reputation as one of the division’s most effective finishers.

Zwane also included Peter Ndlovu in his comparison. Ndlovu is best known for his pioneering career in the English Premier League, but he later played for Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL, where he scored 18 league goals.

The AmaZulu coach has set Ngwenya the ambitious target of eventually being remembered in the same company as those established names when he returns to Zimbabwe. His comments underline the scale of the expectations now surrounding the young forward after his fast start to the season.

AmaZulu’s strong run has also raised hopes of a significant campaign under Zwane. With the club currently third in the Betway Premiership, the coach has already identified a top-four finish as the target for the end of the season.

The forward’s continued form will be central to those ambitions, while Zwane’s mentorship will be tested as he attempts to turn Ngwenya’s early promise into sustained, high-level production.