AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane has high hopes for teenage sensation Bayanda Thabede, believing the young winger has the potential to become a key player for the club in the future.
The 18-year-old was handed his senior debut in AmaZulu’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Stellenbosch FC, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Thabede, who has been a standout performer in the DStv Diski Challenge, impressed Zwane enough to earn a place in the first team.
Despite the disappointing result, Zwane was encouraged by the youngster’s overall performance and praised his confidence and willingness to take on opponents.
According to the coach, Thabede showcased flashes of his talent, demonstrating his agility, composure, and ability to read the game.
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While Zwane acknowledged that the teenager struggled with fatigue in the second half and made a few errors in possession, he remained optimistic about his development. The coach stressed that match experience is crucial for Thabede’s growth, as playing at a senior level will allow him to refine his decision-making and adjust to the intensity of top-flight football.
“I think he did very well. In the second half, he started to tire and made a few mistakes when he lost possession, but playing is the only way he’s going to learn,” Zwane told SuperSport TV.
Zwane highlighted Thabede’s attacking intent and technical ability, particularly in the first half.
“He’s got so much quality. He was giving us those half-turns to break the lines and always looked to play forward,” Zwane said.
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach admitted that giving young players opportunities earlier in the campaign was challenging, with the team battling near the bottom of the table.
“Sometimes you wonder if you should have given them more time earlier in the season,” Zwane added. “But we were fighting to get out of the relegation zone, and those situations limit your options.”
With relegation fears easing, Zwane appears ready to invest in youth, and Thabede may well be the first of many young talents to break into the AmaZulu first team.
AmaZulu are trying to secure their place in the top half of the table, and they will be looking for a better result in their next game when they lock horns with Golden Arrows in the KwaZulu-Natal derby on 27 April. At the moment, Usuthu are in seventh spot on the log with 33 points after playing 26 matches.