It hasn’t been a smooth start. But such is the emerging positivity within AmaZulu, the team is on course to grow in leaps and bounds in the second half of the season.
Co-coaches Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane replaced Pablo Franco Martin earlier this season, having had a poor start to the campaign.
The duo had to initially build their own camaraderie, having come from different jobs, albeit crossing paths in the reserves for the better part of their careers. Their brotherhood seemed to have taken off from the outset as they were seen sharing ideas in their first game against Stellenbosch in the Carling Knockout last 16.
Sure, they went on to lose that game. But they dragged Stellies to the limit as they equalised in regulation time to take the game to extra-time. From thereon, they went on to lose to Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership. Even so, it was only a matter of time before they got their campaign up and running.
They did just that, beating Chippa United and Richards Bay in back-to-back matches, before losing their last encounter against TS Galaxy away respectively.
You see, while ‘Kanu’ and ‘10111’ have the ability to find the correct blend between youth and experience, something that usually works. Rowan Human, 23, is coming out of his shell, while Hendrick Ekstein, 33 and Richard Ofori, 31, are using their experience to guide the youngsters in the team.
After their emphatic win over Richards, Usuthu will want to complete back-to-back derby victories when they host Royal AM at King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday night. Royal AM are high on confidence after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Kaizer Chiefs away in their last clash in the league.
You see, coach John Maduka’s men have nothing to lose this season as they are all about survival, given that they are still under the dark cloud of the Fifa transfer ban.
So, the fact that they go into matches as underdogs, makes them dangerous. A feat that Maduka has used to his advantage especially against the so-called big teams in the league.
Meanwhile, Golden Arrows are enjoying a purple patch. They’ve won their last two matches, beating Royal AM and Cape Town City with identical 3-2 scorelines. Coach Mabhuti Khenyeza will be thrilled by his team’s run of form, especially given that there were doubts over his ability to ensure Arrows were sharpshooters after last season’s exploits.
Abafana Bes’thende had a poor second half of the season under Khenyeza last term, going 10 games without a win. A feat that forced the club to reappoint Steve Komphela.
It seems that Khenyeza learnt a lot from Komphela, hence the purple. But the former Kaizer Chiefs striker will be wary of getting carried away, thinking they are running like a well-oiled machine.
The coach-less Richards Bay will be eager to start life after Brandon Truter, who was sacked amid a poor run of form, on a high when they meet Arrows in Hammarsdale on Saturday.
Truter returned to the Natal Rich Boyz this season with expectations of turning the team into a top eight side instead of the one which fought against relegation last season.
Those aspirations were also fuelled by the investment of Phakwe Gas which made their intentions of being in the league to help the club compete, instead of just adding up numbers. And with club chairman Sifiso ‘Jomo’ Biyela having been voted into the PSL exco for the next four years, the ambitions of the club got bigger.
So, ‘Braakies’ clearly failed in the required mission. He left his team languishing at the foot of the table with just five points – after one win, one draw and seven losses – after 10 games.