Zwane calls on AmaZulu to carry league form into Carling Knockout

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane says the MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns has provided important motivation as his side prepare to begin their Carling Knockout campaign.

AmaZulu were eliminated by Sekhukhune United in the quarter-finals of the MTN8, a result Zwane acknowledges was difficult for his players to accept. However, watching the two leading South African clubs contest the final helped reinforce the level of effort and quality required to progress deep into a competition.

“I learnt quite a few things from that final. You never stop learning as a coach and everything I gathered will go a long way for me and the players,” Zwane said.

“You don’t get to a final without digging deep and sweating blood while also playing top class football.”

The former Kaizer Chiefs coach is now preparing AmaZulu for their Carling Knockout opener against Kruger United, who have endured an inconsistent start since securing promotion.

The Mpumalanga club have recorded two victories from their opening eight league matches and sit 12th in the standings. Zwane, however, believes their success against provincial rivals TS Galaxy shows that AmaZulu cannot afford to underestimate them.

“We are playing against a team who have won only one game this season, but they won against a quality TS Galaxy side,” he said.

“They’ve also been unfortunate not to grab more points in other games, and we will have to be at our best against them as always.”

AmaZulu enter the knockout competition in strong league form, with their recent results lifting them to third place in the standings.

Their away record has been particularly impressive. Usuthu have won five matches on the road and scored 12 goals in those fixtures, while striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has played a central role in their attacking output.

Ngwenya has scored eight goals in as many matches, underlining the threat AmaZulu have carried during their positive run.

Zwane insists, though, that their league position and results will not guarantee progress in the Carling Knockout. The coach says the demands of a knockout tournament are different, with a single below-par display capable of ending a team’s hopes immediately.

AmaZulu will therefore be expected to approach the meeting with Kruger United with the same intensity that has helped them move into the top three, while also respecting a newly promoted opponent who have already shown they can defeat established league opposition.