The MTN8 quarterfinals offered a revealing glimpse into the upcoming PSL season.
While AmaZulu were ultimately knocked out, their five-goal thriller against Stellenbosch provided plenty of reasons for optimism.
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Coach Arthur Zwane is in the middle of a major overhaul, having released nearly 20 players to reduce the squad’s average age and infuse it with youthful energy.
The KZN side’s performance was a testament to this new direction. New signings Keegan Allan and Ryan Moon were given debuts, with Allan making an immediate impact by scoring in the 18th minute.
The team showed remarkable resilience, enjoying long spells of possession and more importantly, attacking impetus. Despite losing in extra time, their ability to control the game, especially away from home, was a promising sign.
This renewed focus on youth is a direct response to club president Sandile Zungu’s goal of shedding the club’s “retirement home” label. Zungu has dramatically lowered the squad’s average age from 30 to just over 24.
With a proven youth developer like Zwane at the helm, who has successfully nurtured players like Mduduzi Shabalala and Wandile Duba in the past, AmaZulu seems poised to build on last season’s sixth-place finish.
Their new blend of youthful exuberance and tactical intent suggests they could be a genuine force in the Betway Premiership.