Zwane: Our boys are growing — we must be brave with them

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane says Saturday’s win over Siwelele FC at the Moses Mabhida Stadium was a performance built on maturity rather than momentum, as his young squad continued learning the demands of top-flight football.

The match was settled by a superb brace from 23-year-old winger Athini Maqokola, whose sharp movement and composure in the final third gave Usuthu the cutting edge they lacked in previous weeks. 

His goals arrived at crucial moments — just before halftime and again midway through the second period — to hand AmaZulu a much-needed return to winning ways.

The KwaZulu Natal based outfit moved up to fifth on the Betway Premiership standings and remain on course for a duel for CAF spots. But while Maqokola’s finishing will dominate the highlights, Zwane’s biggest takeaway was the collective growth shown after a disappointing defeat in their last outing. 

He praised Siwelele for arriving with purpose, noting the shift in tempo from their previous match.

“We were playing against a good team who came here to try and play and be on the front foot,” Zwane said. “It was very different from what we had in the last game which we lost, so it was a good contest to be a part of.”

The win also served as another checkpoint in the club’s long-term development strategy. 

Usuthu have followed on the route of all KZN clubs  who have entrusted many of their spots in the top flight squads to some of the province’s finest upcoming talent.

The recent match winner Maqokola is a product of such ideas having ploughed his trade in the ABC Motsepe League last season. With a squad built heavily around emerging talent, Zwane remains committed to giving young players space to learn, make mistakes and evolve.

“When you deal with a lot of youngsters, it usually takes time to get everything together and get the requisite results,” he said. “They’re still growing and learning. 

Their decision-making isn’t always the best at this level, but they are showing positive progress — and they won’t grow without opportunity.”

He stressed that patience must extend beyond the touchline, calling for alignment across the club as the youngsters navigate pressure and expectation.

“We just need to be brave as both the technical team and management,” Zwane said. “And when they come under pressure, we need contingency plans in place so they don’t feel like they’re being thrown into the deep end without support.”

For Zwane, the victory symbolised more than three points — it was another step in shaping a team with long-term durability. 

As the season unfolds, AmaZulu’s progress will depend on how well they balance ambition with patience, and how firmly they protect the young players tasked with carrying the club forward.