AmaZulu F.C. explained

Nickname:Usuthu, Amaqhawe (Heroes)
Ground:Moses Mabhida Stadium
Capacity:52,000
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Clubname:AmaZulu
Fullname:AmaZulu Football Club
Founded: (as Zulu Royals)
Chairman:Sandile Zungu
Season:2023–24
Position:11th of 16
Website:http://www.amazulufc.net/

AmaZulu Football Club is a South African professional soccer club based in the city of Durban in the KwaZulu Natal province, that plays in the Premiership, the first tier of the South African football league system. The club's nickname, Usuthu, is a Zulu war cry.

History

Early history (1932–1973)

One of the oldest clubs in South Africa, AmaZulu was formed by Zulu migrant workers in 1932 and originally named Zulu Royal Conquerors. The club was then introduced to Zulu king Solomon, who changed the team's name to Zulu Royals and their colours to royal blue and white, and also added the shield to their logo.[1]

Initially, Prince Bayisikili was placed as the team guardian at eMsizini and later replaced by Prince Sithela and the team's headquarter was at the Zulu: italic=no|eMbelebeleni Royal Kraal by then the team colours had changed to bottle green and white. On the day of King Bhekizulu's funeral in the year 1968, the team went to play a Cup game against SAPPI Homestars at eMandeni, which they lost 4–2. On the day of the funeral the club was supposed to escort the King's coffin but Mr. Shezi, Mr. Nsele, Mr. Magwaza ended up escorting the King wearing the team's uniform.[1]

After that game an argument had broken up between the supporters of the club because some of them including Prince Sithela criticized the fact that, how could the team play a game on the day of the funeral of the Zulu King, when the team was supposed to mourn the King's death. The continuation of the argument led to Mr Gideon Sibiya and Mr. Ntuli who accompanied the club to eMandeni decided to take the club away from Zulu: italic=no|eMbelebeleni to Zulu: italic=no|eWema and then it was no longer recognized at the Zulu: italic=no|eMbelebeleni Royal Kraal.[1]

At the end of 1970 the remaining committee members consisting of Mr Mkhize and Mr Ralph Mabaso decided to rebuild the team from scratch, recruited players, acquired a kit and appointed Mr Bethuel Masondo as the team manager. The committee went on to register the club as Zulu Royals United and Mr. Bethuel Masondo was the sole director. They decided to take the team back to eMbelebeleni Royal Kraal as its headquarters.[1]

In 1971 a team called African Wanderers which was located in Kwa-Zulu Natal were experiencing problems while playing in the National Professional League (NPSL) which led the NPSL to take a decision that the Kwa-Zulu Natal Football Association must suspend African Wanderers from the NPSL and then recommend another team from Kwa-Zulu Natal to replace them. The Kwa-Zulu Natal Football Association then recommended the following teams: Union Jacks, Durban City All Black, Zulu Royals United or Young Dribblers.[1]

The National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) at that time chairman, Mr RD Sishi, decided that Zulu Royal's United must replace African Wanderers in the NPSL because Zulu Royals was a team which represented the Zulu Nation from the Royal Kraal and that it has a support base more than the clubs that were recommended.[1]

In 1971 Zulu Royals replaced African Wanderers and went on to finish 6th on the log and were voted club of the year. The following year in 1972 the club won the N.P.S.L league title securing 44 points from 26 matches and only losing 2 games.[1]

In 1973 Zulu Royal suffered a huge set back when the then manager Mr. Bethwell Masondo left the club and took with him several prominent players which split the club. After this unfortunate incident the club went into a mid-season slump that would see them not being able to successful defend their league title. In 1974, the running of the club was taken over by the supporters and in the same year, the team changed to AmaZulu Football Club, a term which simple means "Zulu people." Some supporters led by Mr. Francis Dlamini who managed the reserve team decided to part ways with the reserve team to Bhekizulu hall and renamed back Zulu Royals United and its nickname were esikotshi".[1] Other Directors that followed were Mr, Manana and Mr. Nxumalo who bought the team for R 4000.00, Mr. Merikan Madlala from Lamontville, then followed a committee made of Mr. Ngongoma, Mr. Duma, Mr. Mathe, Mr. Dlamini, Mr. Biyela and Nhleko.

The formation of the NSL and name changes (1985–2002)

In 1985 the National Soccer League was formed and AmaZulu entered a new phase of their history under the leadership of Mr. David Dlamini.[1] In 1987, Clive Barker coached AmaZulu FC to finals of mainstay Cup and Iwisa Charity Cup, where they were narrowly defeated twice by Kaizer Chiefs. In 1990 the club reached the Bob Save Super Bowl final which they lost with a last minute goal against Jomo Cosmos, in 1992 the club won the inauguration Coca-Cola Cup and finished 3rd on the log in 1993.[1]

After Mr. Dlamini then followed Spar Natal, Mr. Ncanana, Mr. Dan Naidoo, Mr. Mike Segal, Mr. Dave King after him was Mr Sisa Bikisha in 2002, who then changed the name AmaZulu F.C. to Zulu Royal.[1]

Sokhela ownership (2005–2020)

In 2005, Dr Patrick Sokhela bought the team from Mr Sisa Bikisha, decided to revive the once mighty outfit of the Zulus by renaming the team back to AmaZulu Football Club. He and immediately bought the Premiership status of Dynamos to return the club to the top flight.[1] To commemorate the club's 80th anniversary in 2012 AmaZulu played a friendly against English giants Manchester United on 18 July 2012 losing by a solitary goal scored by Federico Macheda.

AmaZulu was relegated in the 2014–15 season. After a failure to be promoted in the 2016–17 season they rejoined the Premiership by purchasing Thanda Royal Zulu's Premiership Status.[2]

After purchasing their Premiership status, the team finished 7th in the 2017–18 season,[3] however they were stripped of the Top 8 finish when Ajax Cape Town fielded Tendai Ndoro in matches against Platinum Stars, Polokwane City & Supersport United. This resulted in Ajax Cape Town losing all three matches 3–0 & fined R50 000 on each offence,[4] and AmaZulu dropping to 9th position in the 2017–18 season.[5]

On 28 September 2018 it was announced by the PSL that AmaZulu would be docked 6 points for failure to comply with a ruling made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in September 2017.[6] The matter surrounded the illegal termination of the contract of a former player, Phinheas Nambandi, in 2014[7] Nambandi took the club to FIFA to contest the termination of his contract, with FIFA ruling that the termination was illegal and that the club were to pay an amount of R1‚086,000.00. AmaZulu appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, however, the decision was upheld. A year later the club had still failed to pay the outstanding figure to Phinheas Nambandi, this resulted in FIFA's Disciplinary Committee ruling that should the club not settle the debt with the player by 16 September 2018, 6 points would be deducted.[8] [9]

The club had a turbulent 2019–20 season, with two coaches being fired and the club's Premiership status secured by the coaching combination of Ayanda Dlamini and Moeneeb Josephs.[10] AmaZulu started the season poorly under Cavin Johnson and his assistant Alan Clark, with the team sitting on 2 points after 5 games. The decision was made by club management to fire the coaching duo, with Jozef Vukusic coming in as the club's new head coach.[11] [12] [13] The team seemed to have turned a corner under Vukusic's mentorship, however, they started the second half of the season poorly and it was decided that change was needed in order to save the club from relegation. Vukusic was suspended, with assistant coach Ayanda Dlamini being given the role as interim head coach, and Moeneeb Josephs being installed as his assistant.[14] [15] Dlamini managed to save the club from relegation, with the team finishing 13th, and going undefeated in his 5 home games in charge. What made this achievement even more impressive is that the AmaZulu ownership had implemented salary cuts on all their staff, which they cited as being associated with the COVID-19 pandemic – this despite the fact that the club continued to receive its full monthly grant from the PSL.[16] [17] The club received backlash for the manner in which the salary cuts were handled from the SA Football Players' Union.[18] [19] [20]

The Zungu era (2020–present)

On 2 October 2020, it was announced that businessman Sandile Zungu had purchased AmaZulu from Patrick Sokhela.[21] From the outset, the new ownership laid out a 12-year plan that would see the club climb in stock and standing within South African football.[22] As part of achieving this plan, Zungu brought in Benni McCarthy as Head Coach, with Siyabonga Nomvethe and McCarthy's former assistant from Cape Town City, Vasili Manousakis joining the club as assistant coaches[23] [24] [25] [26] – this saw the redeployment of Ayanda Dlamini to the club youth structures[27] and the mutual termination of Allan Freese's contract.[28] [29] Further to this, Moeneeb Josephs was brought in as the new first team goalkeeper coach, replacing long term employee Davies Phiri; and, Justin Hamburger was brought in to join the Performance Analysis department alongside Pilela Maposa.[30]

In his maiden season as the owner of AmaZulu, Sandile Zungu saw his team finish 2nd behind Mamelodi Sundowns and subsequently qualify for the 1st preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. The team beat Nyasa Big Bullets in the preliminary round with a 3-2 aggregate. AmaZulu progressed to the 2nd preliminary round facing African giants, TP Mazembe, with AmaZulu qualifying for the group stages of the competition after a 1-1 aggregate, going through on away goals. AmaZulu are the seventh team from South Africa to progress beyond the preliminary stages of Africa's showpiece club competition.[31]

Facilities

The club currently train and have their administrative offices at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The technical team have their offices based inside Prime Human Performance Institute. The club also utilizes the performance facilities at Prime.[32]

The club plays their home games out of Moses Mabhida Stadium, which is based in Durban.

Tertiary Institution Cooperation

The High-Performance Manager of AmaZulu, Joshua Smith, played a key role in the formation of an externship program with the University of KwaZulu-Natal Biokinetics, Sports and Leisure Science department in 2019. The link sees biokinetics and exercise science honours students from the university assist with AmaZulu youth training sessions and physical testing.[33] The link between the two organisations enters its 4th year in 2022.

Further to their link with UKZN, it was announced on 15 December 2020 by AmaZulu's High-Performance Manager, Joshua Smith, that a formal link between Usuthu and the International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF) had been finalized, with the ISSPF becoming the official educational partner of the team.[34] [35]

Current squad

[36]

Players on loan

Personnel

Head coach history

[37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44]

Name Date Appointed Date Dismissed Time in office Matches Points per match
Pablo Franco Martin [45] 20 June 2023 - - - -
Ayanda Dlamini (Interim)04 Apr 2023 01 June 2023 58 Days 6 0,83
Romain Folz 09 Oct 2022 04 Apr 2023 177 Days 19 1,11
Brandon Truter 28 Mar 2022 06 Oct 2022 193 Days 18 1,56
Benni McCarthy 14 Dec 2020 25 March 2022 466 Days 60 1,52
Allan Freese (Interim) 7 Dec 2020 17 Dec 2020 11 Days 1 0
Ayanda Dlamini 4 Mar 2020 7 Dec 2020 275 Days 13 1,23
Jozef Vukušič 17 Sept 2019 3 Mar 2020 168 Days 20 0,90
Cavin Johnson 8 Aug 2017 16 Sept 2019 769 Days 71 1,17
Joey Antipas 1 Jul 2016 8 Aug 2017 403 Days
Delron Buckley (Interim) 18 Apr 2016 30 Jun 2016 73 Days
Steve Barker 23 Nov 2014 18 Apr 2016 512 Days
Wilfred Mugeyi (Interim)15 Oct 2014 22 Nov 2014 38 Days 5 0,20
Craig Rosslee 29 Nov 2012 15 Oct 2014 685 Days 57 1,25
Roger Palmgren 19 Sep 2011 26 Nov 2012 434 Days 41 1,24
Manqoba Mngqithi 1 Jul 2010 19 Sep 2011 445 Days 36 0,89
Neil Tovey 1 Jul 2009 28 Jun 2010 362 Days 33 1,27
Clive Barker 1 Jul 2007 30 Jun 2009 730 Days 59 1,27
Júlio César Leal 31 Jan 2007 30 Jun 2007 150 Days
Reggie Shelembe (Interim) 30 Nov 2006 30 Jan 2007 61 Days 7 1,00
Clive Barker 1 Jul 2006 29 Nov 2006 151 Days 10 0,6
Thabo Dladla 2005
Keagan Mumba 2004 2004
Walter Rautmann 2003
Zipho Dlangalala & Thabo Dladla (Interim) 2003 2003
Joseph Mukeba 2003 2003
Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo 2003 2003
Neil Tovey 2001 2002
1999 2000
Gavin Lane (Interim) 1999 1999
Clive Barker 1997 1999
1993 1993
Clive Barker 1991 1993
Clive Barker 1986 1987
Clive Barker 1974 1976

Club honours

League

National Professional Soccer League (first tier)

First Division Coastal Stream (second tier)

Cups

MTN 8

Telkom Knockout

Nedbank Cup

Minor cups

Club records

Premiership

National First Division (2nd tier)

CAF Champions League

Cup record

MTN 8

Season Round Opposition Score
2022/2023 Final 0:1
2021/2022 Quarter-Finals 1:2
2012/2013 Quarter-Finals 0:2
2009/2010 Semi-Finals 1:4 (over two legs)

Telkom Knockout

Season Round Opposition Score
2019/2020 First round 0:5
2018/2019 Quarter-Finals 1:3 (AET)
2017/2018 First round 0:3
2014/2015 Quarter-Finals Mamelodi Sundowns F.C.1:2 (AET)
2013/2014 First round 0:2
2012/2013 Quarter-Finals 0:2
2011/2012 First round Bidvest Wits F.C.0:1
2010/2011 First round 0:2
2009/2010 Semi-Finals 0:2
2008/2009 First round 0:1
2008/2009 Quarter-Finals 0:1

Nedbank Cup

Season Round Opposition Score
2023/2024 Quarter-Final Orlando Pirates F.C.2:4
2022/2023 Round of 16 Dondol Stars4:5 (Penalty shootout)
2021/2022 Round of 32 Orlando Pirates F.C.0:1
2020/2021 Round of 16 Black Leopards F.C.0:1
2019/2020 Round of 32 Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.1:4
2018/2019 Round of 32 1:3 (Penalty shootout)
2017/2018 Round of 16 Ubuntu 2:3
2016/2017 Round of 32 2:3
2015/2016 Round of 32 3:4 (Penalty shootout)
2014/2015 Round of 32 1:2
2013/2014 Round of 16 1:4
2012/2013 Round of 32 1:2
2011/2012 Semi-Finals 0:3
2010/2011 Quarter-Finals 2:3
2009/2010 Final 0:3
2008/2009 Round of 32 0:1
2007/2008 Semi-Finals 0:1

Shirt sponsor and kit manufacturer

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Club. AmaZulu FC. en-US. 2019-09-27. 9 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190109204919/http://www.amazulufc.net/the-club-2/. dead.
  2. Web site: The PSL have approved AmaZulu's purchase of Thanda Royal Zulu's top-flight status. KickOff. 2019-09-27.
  3. Web site: AmaZulu book Top 8 place as Cape Town City crumble IOL. iol.co.za. en. 2019-09-27.
  4. Web site: Ajax relegated after paying steep price for Ndoro eligibility debacle. TimesLIVE. en-ZA. 2019-09-27.
  5. Web site: Johnson: Ajax ruling complete shock to AmaZulu. Sport24. Baden Gillion-. 2018-05-16. Sport. en. 2019-09-27.
  6. Web site: PSL Confirm Points Deduction From AmaZulu. South African soccer news. 2019-09-27.
  7. Web site: AmaZulu found guilty, docked six points Goal.com.
  8. Web site: AmaZulu docked six points' to one point' for ignoring Fifa. TimesLIVE. en-ZA. 2019-09-27.
  9. Web site: AmaZulu found guilty, docked six points Goal.com. goal.com. 2019-09-27.
  10. Web site: Ayanda Dlamini hails Moeneeb Josephs presence at AmaZulu. 15 August 2020. Kick Off.
  11. Web site: Cavin Johnson sacked at AmaZulu. 16 September 2019. Kick Off.
  12. Web site: Johnson becomes second coaching casualty of Monday after he's sacked by AmaZulu. TimesLIVE.
  13. Web site: Jozef Vukusic named Amazulu's new boss. iol.co.za.
  14. Web site: AMAZULU SUSPEND VUKUSIC. DailySun.
  15. Web site: Vukusic placed on special leave, assistants to take over at AmaZulu. iol.co.za.
  16. Web site: AmaZulu confirm salary cuts in response to Covid-19 pandemic. 2021-01-28. iol.co.za. en.
  17. Web site: 2020-04-21. AmaZulu Confirm Salary Cuts. 2021-01-28. Soccer Laduma.
  18. Web site: Sibembe. Yanga. 2020-04-22. SOCCER: Players' union and AmaZulu set to meet over salary cuts. 2021-01-28. Daily Maverick. en.
  19. Web site: Some AmaZulu players oppose pay cut. 2021-01-28. SowetanLIVE. en-ZA.
  20. Web site: We want to talk to the club – Safpu president Gaoshubelwe confirms AmaZulu FC's salary cuts Goal.com. 2021-01-28. goal.com.
  21. Web site: AmaZulu FC set to announce Sandile Zungu of ZICO as new owner – sources. 2 October 2020. Kick Off. 28 October 2020.
  22. Web site: Molobi. Timothy. Usuthu boss has a grand plan. 2021-01-28. Citypress. en-US.
  23. Web site: FARPost. 2021-01-03. BREAKING NEWS: Mbazo joins Cape Town City. 2021-01-28. FARPost. en-US.
  24. Web site: Benni McCarthy: AmaZulu unveil Bafana Bafana legend Goal.com. 2021-01-28. goal.com.
  25. Web site: 2020-12-21. Benni McCarthy explains Siyabonga Nomvethe return as AmaZulu assistant coach. 2021-01-28. Kick Off.
  26. Web site: 2021-01-04. Vasili Manousakis joins AmaZulu FC as first assistant coach to Benni McCarthy. 2021-01-28. Kick Off.
  27. Web site: Ayanda Dlamini steps down from role as AmaZulu head coach. 2021-01-28. Sport. en-US.
  28. Web site: Allan Freese edging towards the exit door at AmaZulu. 2021-01-28. TimesLIVE. en-ZA.
  29. Web site: 2020-12-28. Official: A New Coach Appointed in the PSL. 2021-01-28. Soccer Laduma.
  30. Web site: Ex-Orlando Pirates duo Josephs and Nomvethe to reunite with McCarthy at AmaZulu FC - Reports | Goal.com. www.goal.com.
  31. Web site: AmaZulu join South Africa's elite after CAF Champions League group.
  32. Web site: Prime Human Performance Institute. Moses Mabhida Stadium. 2019-09-27.
  33. Web site: UKZN NdabaOnline. 28 October 2020.
  34. 1338820004796657666. josh_smith_RSA. Delighted to see this partnership.... 15 December 2020.
  35. Web site: AmaZulu FC – ISSPF Learning Hub. 2021-01-28. learn.isspf.com.
  36. Web site: South Africa - AmaZulu FC - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway.
  37. Web site: Reference at www.iol.co.za. 10 January 2019. 10 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183642/https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/sport/amazulu-pin-hopes-on-imported-coach-335142. dead.
  38. Web site: Axed coaches slam Zulu Royals. 11 November 2003
  39. Web site: Zulu Royals fire coach. 28 October 2003
  40. Web site: Zulu Royals name temporary coach. 10 January 2019. 10 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183959/https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/sport/zulu-royals-name-temporary-coach-538110. dead.
  41. Web site: All aboard the coaches carousel - The Mail & Guardian. 23 October 2003. 10 January 2019. 10 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183644/https://mg.co.za/article/2003-10-24-all-aboard-the-coaches-carousel. dead.
  42. Web site: Zulu Royals' fans run amok. 6 Sep 2005
  43. Web site: Confirmed: Benni Returns To The Dugout. 14 December 2020. Soccer Laduma.
  44. Web site: Truter: 'AmaZulu should compete with Sundowns'. 29 March 2022.
  45. Web site: Who is new AmaZulu coach Pablo Franco Martin who has history with Real Madrid?. IOL. en-US. 2023-12-17.
  46. Web site: Cup win is a confidence booster – AmaZulu captain. Phakaaathi. Reporter.
  47. Web site: The Msunduzi Cup Went To AmaZulu This Weekend. South African soccer news. 21 July 2019. 2019-10-01.
  48. Web site: psl table – Google Search. google.com.
  49. Web site: psl table – Google Search. google.com.
  50. Web site: psl table – Google Search. google.com.
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  54. Web site: South Africa 2012/13. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  55. Web site: South Africa 2011/12. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  56. Web site: South Africa 2010/11. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  57. Web site: South Africa 2009/10. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  58. Web site: South Africa 2008/09. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  59. Web site: South Africa 2007/08. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
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  62. Web site: South Africa 2001/02. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  63. Web site: South Africa 1999/2000. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
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  70. Web site: South Africa 2004/05. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  71. Web site: South Africa 2002/03. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  72. Web site: South Africa 2000/01. RSSSF. 2019-10-01.
  73. Web site: AmaZulu general manager Lunga Sokhela explains how the club attracts sponsors. KickOff. 20 July 2018. 2019-10-01.
  74. Web site: SPAR – Sports – getting actively involved in SA sport.. 28 October 2020.
  75. Web site: AmaZulu pen new sponsorship deal with Umbro. KickOff. 16 April 2018. 2019-10-01.