AmaZulu co-coach Arthur Zwane believes his team belong with the league’s big boys after beating bottom-placed Magesi FC, moving Usuthu out of the relegation zone.
Starting for the first time since joining last month, Bongani Zungu netted the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute, ensuring AmaZulu maximum points at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Usuthu, who started the season poorly under Spaniard Pablo Franco Martin, are in ninth place after 13 matches after a definite upturn in results under former Kaizer Chiefs boss Zwane and co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi.
“AmaZulu are a big team and they don’t deserve to be at the bottom, fighting for survival,” Zwane said.
“Bongani is a quality player. He’s got experience, he’s played at the highest level, so it was a case of us building him up. We knew we were going to need him as time went on.”
AmaZulu rarely started with Veli Mothwa in goal. The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper had last played for Usuthu in September, where he committed a few costly mistakes.
Zwane reasoned that Mothwa was working hard and had earned his place against Magesi Polokwane.
“Veli has been pushing at training, working very hard. He remained positive when he wasn’t playing, so we said, ‘Let’s give him the opportunity’ on this one and see how it goes, so we keep everyone at the same level of competition.”
Magesi remained rooted in last place. New coach Owen da Gama stressed the need to sign players, and especially a striker, in the transfer window to take the pressure to score off Wonderboy Makhubu.
“The team needs strengthening, there’s no doubt about it. We need to bring in some players and I think the management realise that as well,” the former Highlands Park coach said.
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