Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has expressed his happiness after steering AmaZulu to a solid Top 8 finish in the league this season.
Usuthu secured eighth place thanks to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates in their final match. Since joining the KwaZulu-Natal side earlier this year, Zwane has guided them to sixth place overall, with 10 wins under his belt.
Next up for AmaZulu is a MTN8 quarter-final clash against Stellenbosch — a challenge Zwane is ready to face. Reflecting on this achievement, Zwane opened up about the challenges he’s faced both as a player and a coach.
“When I think about my journey, both as a player and coach, it feels like watching a movie,” Zwane said. “I’ve been through so much — probably more than most others would be able to handle. Some of the struggles I faced, I don’t think many would come back from. Our journeys aren’t easy.”
Zwane’s coaching career began at Chiefs’ development academy before he was promoted to assistant coach of the first team. He then took charge of the Chiefs’ senior team during the 2022/23 season, helping them secure a respectable fifth-place finish.
“My path has been quite a ride — starting at Jomo Cosmos, moving abroad, then back fighting to revive my career in the second division. From there, I earned my spot in the national team and later at Kaizer Chiefs, where I had a long career to be proud of,” Zwane reflected.
He sees a similar pattern in his coaching journey, full of obstacles that would have stopped many others.
“I’ve faced hardships that many wouldn’t survive — including personal struggles with my kids’ schooling while dealing with everything going on around me,” Zwane shared.
Finishing in the Top 8 with AmaZulu in his first season is a big achievement, especially since Zwane is the last former Chiefs coach to accomplish this feat with the club.
