Young squads fuel resurgence as Zwane, Hunt and Beganovic steer their sides upward

The final stretch of the year gets underway in domestic football this weekend, and AmaZulu, Durban City, and TS Galaxy all have good reasons to finish the first half of the season on a high. Below, we look at why these three teams, and why they will be among the clubs to beat in the next few weeks.

AMAZULU

When Arthur Zwane was appointed sole head coach last season, plenty of doubt hung over him, especially after his struggles during his previous stint at Kaizer Chiefs. But Zwane took the challenge head-on, steering the team to a Top 8 finish. “10111” is gradually proving that was no fluke, having made a decent start to the season, including five league wins.

The relationship between Zwane and his squad has flourished because he is working largely with youngsters — something that has always been his strong point after cutting his coaching teeth in the Chiefs development structures.

Senior players such as Bongani Zungu, Pule Ekstein and Richard Ofori have also made Zwane’s job easier, playing the big-brother role to the young lads still finding their feet in the top-flight limelight.

DURBAN CITY

Gavin Hunt joined City with many believing his best days were behind him, and that it might be time to step away from top-level coaching before football left him behind.

At first, he did little to dispel those claims. He reunited the old band at City, signing experienced players — such as Darren Keet — whom he had worked with previously, reinforcing the idea that he was short of fresh ideas. But, almost miraculously, the blend of senior players and top-flight newcomers has worked in Hunt’s favour.

They have racked up 18 points from a possible 36, thanks to their tenacity and ability to adapt to the demands of the league.

Hunt, a serial league winner with four titles, knows they have to make hay while the sun shines, especially with newcomers often dragged into relegation battles later in the season through inexperience and an inability to step up.

TS Galaxy

The Rockets made a sluggish start to the season after their inability to register new players due to a Fifa ban. But once the ban was lifted, they slowly but steadily turned the tide.

The Rockets are now soaring slightly higher, thanks largely to the tactical acumen of coach Beganan Beganovic, who has turned his young talent — Seluleko Mahlambi, Phuso Dithejane, Khulumani Ndamane and Siphesihle Maduna — into talismans leading from the front.

Once known for his off-field distractions, Maduna is now even one of the captains of the side after investing his energy into the things that matter: football.

With the team eager to replicate last season’s Top 8 finish, they will need to carry the same zeal and never-say-die attitude — driven by their youngsters — into every passing game.