Mihlali Baleka|Published
Arthur Zwane has found his happy place at AmaZulu. That’s why it will be tough for him to just pack up and leave under any circumstances, including a potential Bafana Bafana appointment.
Zwane is having a fantastic time at AmaZulu. Not only has he led the team to an impressive start to the season – third on the log with six wins, one draw, and one loss – but he has also shown a friendly, older-brotherly side towards the players.
The 53-year-old has been seen in various clips playing and joking with his players and staff, enjoying some downtime that shows that beyond the intensity during matches, the team comes together as one.
Amid all that success and the positive environment, Zwane has attracted interest, including from Bafana to form part of coach Pitso Mosimane’s technical team. However, that has yet to materialise. Even if it were to happen, it would be hard for him to leave.
“It’s not going to be an easy decision for me to just say ‘tomorrow, I want to move’. Time will tell, but I am enjoying myself. I am growing and this is a challenge that I needed as a coach,” Zwane explained.
Apart from being approachable with the players off the pitch while showing them tough love during matches, Zwane has extended leadership roles to his technical team as well, knowing that it’s not a one-man show.
“I don’t behave like 'the' coach around them,” Zwane said. “I treat my technical team as equals; it’s not my way or the highway. When the other coaches handle a session, they feel like they are the head coaches.
“Even when the analysts present their analysis, I give them the responsibility to step up. They’ve done wonders; they are gaining great experience. The environment is healthy because it helps everyone grow. We are growing in stature and as a team.”
Granted, it may have taken Zwane until his second full season in sole charge to show what he’s truly capable of – having started his tenure three seasons ago as a co-coach alongside Vusumuzi Vilakazi – but he never doubted that the team would click.
“When the president explained what he wanted to achieve and the kind of coach he wanted for the project, I felt I was that coach. Together with coach Kanu, I feel that we are going to make it big,” Zwane said. “Even though we started slowly, we have grown in stature.
“The president gave us freedom with the players and understood the environment as well. The support we are getting from both the fans and management is second to none.”