AmaZulu FC have announced a significant partnership with Spanish club Levante UD, marking an important step in the club’s commitment to developing young football talent.
The collaboration was announced during a media briefing at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, attended by AmaZulu President Sandile Zungu, Chief Executive Officer Snenjabulo Zungu-Ntuli and Head of Football Strategy Sinesipho Mali.
Speaking at the launch, Zungu-Ntuli highlighted the importance of the initiative in advancing the club’s youth structures.
“We are thrilled about this relationship and the opportunities it will create for our young players. This is one of the practical measures we are implementing to ensure that our academy reaches the standards we have set for ourselves,” she said.
Also present at the announcement were DStv Diski Challenge head coach Kurt Lentjies and assistant coach Thabo Mngomeni, the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates midfielder.
The partnership was facilitated by Marco Maisano, CEO of Isam 360, who attended the event alongside Levante representatives Alejandro Losa, part of the club’s sporting department, and Daniel Pastor, Director of International Development.
AmaZulu Youth Technical Director Russell Thompson believes the partnership will strengthen the club’s development structures while creating a pathway for promising young players in the province.
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“This partnership strengthens us as a development and strengthens us as a football club,” Thompson said.
He added that the collaboration would provide the club with greater opportunities to identify emerging talent across KwaZulu-Natal and bring the best prospects to Usuthu.
“It’s going to create more opportunities for players and open up doors for us to identify the best talent within KZN and bring them into the club,” he added.
The agreement plays a key role in AmaZulu’s long-term Vision 2032 project. As the PSL’s oldest club moves closer to celebrating 100 years of existence, the leadership aims to build a team largely made up of talented players from KwaZulu-Natal who can consistently compete for league honours. This objective has been central to the club’s plans since Sandile Zungu took ownership in October 2020.
Zungu-Ntuli described the partnership as another major milestone in the club’s journey.
“This collaboration opens a pathway for young footballers from KwaZulu-Natal to gain exposure on the international stage. Levante’s reputation for nurturing top-level talent gives us access to valuable expertise that can be brought back to benefit our own development programmes.
“We’re very excited about the partnership. It is going to come with a lot of activities and development for the young people of AmaZulu.
“And I think this speaks to the active and practical steps we’re taking to ensure that our academy is at the level that we want it to be at.”