Latest news with #Usuthu
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
AmaZulu release Bafana Bafana goalkeeper
Mothwa joined Usuthu from Chippa United in November 2020. eli Mothwa will reportedly leave AmaZulu at the end of his contract next month. According to SABC Sport, the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has already received verbal enquiries elsewhere and is set to put pen to paper upon Usuthu issuing his clearance. ALSO READ: Bafana's Broos – I can't select Chiefs players 'The 34-year-old would have been closing in on five seasons with the KwaZulu-Natal outfit if he was staying beyond June, however the public broadcaster has it on good authority that this chapter of his career is coming to an end,' SABC Sport reported. Mothwa joined Usuthu from Chippa United in November 2020 and was AmaZulu's number one goalkeeper and captain. His heroics between the sticks saw him getting various national team call-ups. However, the arrival of Richards Ofori earlier in the season saw Mothwa play time at the KwaZulu-Natal outfit. Mothwa only managed seven games in this campaign. He did not make the matchday squads for their final two fixtures against Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates. 'When approached for comment on player movements at Usuthu earlier this week, chairman Sandile Zungu said he is still due a meeting with the technical team before any official announcements could be made,' reported the public broadcaster. ALSO READ: Riveiro says he's delighted to join 'European club' Al-Ahly AmaZulu finished the season in sixth spot with 35 points after 28 games. As a result they qualified for next season's MTN8 where they will meet third-placed Stellenbosch FC.
The South African
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'My coaching career is like a movie' – Ex-Chiefs coach after finishing in the Top 8
Former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has expressed his delight after helping AmaZulu to a Top 8 finish. Usuthu finished eighth thanks to their 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates in their final match of the season. Zwane, who joined the KwaZulu-Natal earlier this season, has guided his side to sixth with 10 wins this campaign. Usuthu will play Stellenbosch int he MTN8 quarter-finals next season. Speaking after finishing in the Top 8, the former Chiefs explained he had to go through a lot as a player and coach. 'You know, when I look at my coaching career and even when I was a player, it's like a movie. I'm still watching the movie. Because, as a player, I've been through a lot, through the most,' said Zwane. 'I've experienced a lot of things that I think many other players, if they were in my shoes, they wouldn't come back. So, and some of us, our journeys are always going to be difficult. Zwane started his coaching with the Chiefs development before he was promoted assistant coach of the first team. He coached the first team in the 2022/23 season helping the club finish fifth. 'And I take my journey, as a football player and my coaching career, the same, they are very similar. How I started at [Jomo] Cosmos, went overseas and came back. I found myself in the second division, fighting for my career, to revive it again, the national team and then Kaizer Chiefs. Then I had the longest career as a player that I must be proud of.' 'And then I see the same in my coaching career. The difficulties that I've endured, things that other people, I don't think would survive like I'm trying right now from the situation that I've been dealing with my kids that couldn't cope at school because of everything that was happening where I was,' Zwane continued. Finishing inside the top 8 in his first season with AmaZulu should be an accomplishment given he is the last Chiefs coach to also put the side in the top 8. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
AmaZulu clinch top-eight spot after thrilling PSL draw with Orlando Pirates
Tshepang Moremi Tshepang Moremi of AmaZulu, seen here taking on the Orlando Pirates defence, was involved in his team's goal. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix AmaZulu sealed their place in next season's MTN8 after holding Orlando Pirates to a 1-1 draw at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Usuthu confirmed their place amongst the best eight clubs in the country for the first time in three years, while the Buccaneers failed to win for the second time in three games. Just as the match seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw, the game came to life after 60 minutes, Usuthu's marksman Tshepang Moremi providing a moment of brilliance halfway through the second half to set up the goal for the hosts. The 24-year-old attacker dribbled his way past numerous Pirates defenders before firing a shot towards Sipho Chaine's goal, one that was in turn guided towards his own goal, much to the shock of the majority of the supporters. That seemed to bring out a fight in Pirates, who then went on to equalise through up-and-coming midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, the man with the magic touch. The 20-year-old midfielder arrived late on the edge of the box to pounce on a bouncing ball in the Usuthu danger area, and his shot proved too much for the keeper. The atmosphere in Durban built up nicely for an afternoon of swashbuckling action, with very little on the line and both teams expected to play with relative freedom. Having had a full week to rest and recover whilst serving a suspension in midweek, Relebohile Mofokeng unsurprisingly grabbed most of the AmaZulu players' attention physically, but still looked menacing. After 20 minutes of feeling each other out, Pirates upped the level, combining on the edge of the box to carve Usuthu open, with Patrick Maswanganyi at the heart of it. The Bafana international bounced a ball off Tshegofatso Mabasa before running on to receive it behind the defence, but his attempted right-footed shot narrowly missed the bottom corner and went wide in the 23rd minute. Three minutes later and Pirates were at it, this time Mofokeng playing Deon Hotto through on the left-hand side, but the fullback's low shot was saved by Usuthu goalkeeper Richard Ofori. The more the half wore on, the hosts resorted to a more defensive approach, and it was no surprise because they only required a point from the game to seal a top-eight spot. Despite this, Pirates kept pushing the needle and almost found the breakthrough on the stroke of halftime, with Mohau Nkota this time missing the target. The 20-year-old winger combined with Mofokeng off a corner kick from the training ground, but his shot was dragged past the upright. Both teams would've been frustrated for various reasons going into the halftime break goalless. The second half began in unfashionable style as they lost Ofori to an injury after just five minutes, with Andile Mbanjwa making his top-flight debut in the process. The game would have near misses and gut-wrenching moments in the end, but the teams could not be separated.
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
AmaZulu hold Pirates to a draw in Durban
The teams were locked at 0-0 at the break. Orlando Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw in a Betway Premiership match played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Usuthu appeared to take all three points when Tshepang Moremi put them in the lead in the 66th minute, only for Mpho Mvelase to strike in the 77th minute to earn the Buccaneers a share of the spoils. It was the young midfielder's first goal for the Pirates first team. ALSO READ: Misfiring Chiefs fail to reach the MTN8 again Pirates dominated possession in the first half, but they created few goalscoring opportunities as a result Richard Ofori only made one save. Pirates had to make an early change in the first half when Mbekezeli Mbokazi failed to recover from a knock and was replaced by Tapelo Xoki in the 21st minute. Maswanganyi missed a good chance to put Pirates in the lead in the 24th minute when he was set up by Mohau Nkota, but the Bucs midfielder shot wide from close range. Three minutes later, Richard Ofori denied Deon Hotto from long range as the visitors continued to ask questions from the Pirates defence. Maswanganyi was presented with a chance to redeem himself in the 44th minute following another good buildup from Pirates, but he shot narrowly wide of goal. The teams were locked at 0-0 at the break. Usuthu coach Arthur Zwane made two changes at the start of the second half bringing in goalkeeper Mlondi Mbanjwa for the injured Ofori and striker Augustine Mulenga for Tebogo Mashigo. The Buccaneers continued to dominate possession in the second half, but it was the home team that took the lead through an own goal by Maswanganyi, who tried to clear Just when it looked as though AmaZulu were going to take all the three points on offer, Selepe grabbed the equaliser for Pirates pouncing on a loose ball inside the Usuthu penalty area and putting the ball into the net. The result saw Pirates remaining second on the log with 60 points, 13 points behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns, while AmaZulu finished the season on position six with 35 points after 28 games.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
AmaZulu chase PSL top-eight spot as Orlando Pirates return to Durban
Smiso Msomi | Published 7 hours ago AmaZulu will be hoping to seal their place in next season's MTN8 when they welcome Orlando Pirates to Moses Mabhida Stadium this afternoon. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm in what promises to be one of the most pivotal Premiership matches of the final weekend. Usuthu currently sit in sixth position with 34 points from 27 matches. With the battle for top-eight spots going down to the wire, Arthur Zwane's side know a point could be enough to secure their place – but a victory would remove any doubt. They come into the game off a three-week break, having last played in a 1-1 draw against Polokwane City earlier this month. That extended rest means AmaZulu will be the fresher side, but Zwane is cautious about reading too much into that. 'It's actually an advantage for them and a disadvantage to us because with the number of games they've played, there's chemistry there – and that makes them a very difficult team to beat,' said Zwane. 'As much as they have played a lot of games, it's going to be important to plan the right way to be able to capitalise on that fatigue, but that doesn't guarantee anything. 'They're a professional side that know how to refresh and recharge their players to be ready for this game.' AmaZulu will have to be wary of a Pirates outfit still adjusting to life after Jose Riveiro, who recently left the club permanently. Under interim coach Mandla Ncikazi, the Buccaneers have taken four points from two league games – a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy followed by a 1-0 win over SuperSport United on Tuesday. Pirates are second on the table with 59 points from 26 matches, and have two more league fixtures remaining, including this one. With Mamelodi Sundowns having already secured the title, the Soweto giants have also moved to consolidate their CAF Champions League qualification spot in recent matches and finish the season on a high. They'll also be returning to Moses Mabhida Stadium for the first time since their Nedbank Cup semi-final defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, a loss that denied them a chance to defend the trophy. The trip back to Durban will no doubt stir memories for some in the squad, who are now under pressure to impress with a new permanent coach expected in the off-season. It's been a long campaign for Pirates, who have played 50 games in all competitions. At times, fatigue has been visible, but the depth in their squad has allowed them to remain competitive. AmaZulu, in contrast, have played fewer than half that number, and will need to make that freshness count if they're to claim all three points. With Usuthu pushing for a top-eight finish and Pirates looking to tighten their grip on second place, today's clash is about more than just pride – it's a game with major implications on both ends of the table.
