AmaZulu F.C.

AmaZulu Football Club (Simply often known as AmaZulu) is a South African professional football club based in Umlazi in the city of Durban in the KwaZulu Natal province, that plays in the Premier Soccer League the first-tier of South African football league system. The club's nickname, Usuthu, is a Zulu war cry.

AmaZulu Football Club
Nickname(s)Usuthu, Amaqhawe (Heroes)
Founded1932 (1932), as Zulu Royals
GroundKing Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi, Durban
Capacity10,000
ChairmanPatrick Sokhela
Coach Jozef Vukušič
LeagueABSA Premiership
2019–2011th
WebsiteClub website
The old logo of AmaZulu F.C. before 2009.

History

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 then Zulu king Solomon, who changed the team's name to Zulu Royals, their colours to royal blue and white, and also introduced 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 teams headquarter was at the 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 teams uniform.[2]

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 eMbelebeleni to eWema and then it was no longer recognized at the eMbelebeleni Royal Kraal.[3]

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.[4]

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 Directors or Young Dribblers.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

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. 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”.[8]

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. In 1985 the National Soccer League was formed and AmaZulu entered a new phase of their history under the leadership of Mr. David Dlamini.[9]

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.[10]

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 Royals.[11]

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 Premier Soccer League status of Dynamos to return the club to the top flight.[12] 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 Premier Soccer League by purchasing the Thanda Royal Zulu's Premier Soccer League Status.[13]

After purchasing their PSL status, the team finished 7th in the 2017/2018 season,[14] 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,[15] and AmaZulu dropping to 9th position in the 2017/2018 season.[16]

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.[17] The matter surrounded the illegal termination of the contract of a former player, Phinheas Nambandi, in 2014[18] 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.[19][20]

Facilities

The club currently training out of the People's Park fields, next to Moses Mabhida Stadium.[21] AmaZulu have administrative offices inside the Moses Mabhida Stadium,[22] whilst the technical team are based inside Prime High Performance Center. The club also utilize the performance facilities at Prime.[23]

The club play their home games out of King Zwelithini Stadium, which is based in Umlazi.

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.[24] The link between the two organisations continued in 2020.[25]

Personnel

Club officials
PositionStaff
ChairmanPatrick Sokhela
Managing DirectorGraham O'Connor
General ManagerLunga Sokhela
Administration ManagerPeter O'Connor
Team ManagerQedi Dlamini
AmaZulu Trust Programs ManagerMpho Dintwa
Media Relations OfficerBrilliant Mkhathini
AccountsRozel Loretz
ReceptionistLihle Dlamini

Senior Team Staff
PositionStaff
Head CoachAyanda Dlamini (Interim) [26]
Assistant CoachMoeneeb Josephs (interim)
Goalkeeper CoachDavies Phiri
Performance AnalystPilela Maposa
Club ScoutAyanda Mkhize
High Performance ManagerJoshua Mervyn Smith
PhysiotherapistRyan Coert
Strength & Conditioning CoachZunaid Crowie
MasseurRendani Manuku
Kit ManagerMvikeli Shoba
Assistant Kit ManagerSimon "Timer" Ndebele

Academy Staff
PositionStaff
Head of Youth DevelopmentRonnie Moroka [27]
Academy ManagerBukelani Mthembu
Academy Administration AssistantLondiwe Shabane
Reserve Team CoachAyanda Dlamini [28]
Reserve Team Conditioning CoachSanele Dlamini
U-19 CoachBelux Bukasa Kasongo [29]
U-17 CoachKhaya Mngwengwe
U-15 CoachDinto Mkhize
U-13 CoachNhlanhla ‘’Shakes” Zwane [30]
Academy Kit ManagerThuthukani Mthembu

Head Coach History
As of 10 January 2019[31][32][33][34][35][36]
NameDate AppointedDate DismissedTime in officeMatchesPoints per match
Jozef Vukušič 18 Aug 2019-5 Days--
Cavin Johnson 8 Aug 201716 August 2019769 Days711,17
Joey Antipas 1 Jul 20168 Aug 2017403 Days--
Delron Buckley (Interim)18 Apr 201630 Jun 201673 Days--
Steve Barker (soccer) 23 Nov 201418 Apr 2016512 Days--
Wilfred Mugeyi (Interim)15 Oct 201422 Nov 201438 Days50,20
Craig Rosslee 29 Nov 201215 Oct 2014685 Days571,25
Roger Palmgren 19 Sep 201126 Nov 2012434 Days411,24
Manqoba Mngqithi 1 Jul 201019 Sep 2011445 Days360,89
Neil Tovey 1 Jul 200928 Jun 2010362 Days331,27
Clive Barker 1 Jul 200730 Jun 2009730 Days591,27
Júlio César Leal 31 Jan 200730 Jun 2007150 Days--
Reggie Shelembe (Interim)30 Nov 200630 Jan 200761 Days71,00
Clive Barker 1 Jul 200629 Nov 2006151 Days100,6
Thabo Dladla 2005----
Keagan Mumba 20042004---
Walter Rautmann 2003----
Zipho Dlangalala & Thabo Dladla (Interim)20032003---
Joseph Mukeba 20032003---
Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo 20032003---
Neil Tovey 20012002---
Eddie Lewis (English footballer) 19992000---
Gavin Lane (Interim)19991999---
Clive Barker 19971999---
Eoin Hand 19931993---
Clive Barker 19911993---
Clive Barker 19861987---
Clive Barker 19741976---

Club Honours

League
  • National Professional Soccer League (South Africa):
    • Winners: 1972
    • Third Place: 1974 (As Zulu Royals)
  • First Division Coastal Stream (2nd tier):
    • Winners: 2000/2001, 2002/2003
  • Mvela Platinum play-offs:
    • Winners(1st tier Relegation/Promotion play-offs): 2007

Cups

Minor cups
  • KwaZulu-Natal Premier's Cup:
  • The Msunduzi Cup

Club records
  • Most starts: Julius Chirwa 244
  • Most goals: Owen Nzimande 55
  • Most capped player: Francis Shonhai 13
  • Most starts in a season: Archie Radebe 41 (1987)
  • Most goals in a season: George Dearnaley 23 (1992)
  • Record victory: 16–0 vs Barcelona (31/8/86, Mainstay Cup)
  • Record defeat: 1–8 vs SuperSport United (6/6/04, PSL)

Premier Soccer League

National First Division (2nd tier)

Cup record

MTN 8
SeasonRoundOppositionScore
2012/2013Quarter-FinalsMoroka Swallows F.C.0:2
2009/2010Semi-FinalsLamontville Golden Arrows F.C.1:4 (over two legs)

Telkom Knockout
SeasonRoundOppositionScore
2019/2020First roundMamelodi Sundowns F.C.0:5
2018/2019Quarter-FinalsOrlando Pirates F.C.1:3 (AET)
2017/2018First roundKaizer Chiefs F.C.0:3
2014/2015Quarter-FinalsMamelodi Sundowns F.C.1:2 (AET)
2013/2014First roundFree State Stars F.C.0:2
2012/2013Quarter-FinalsMamelodi Sundowns F.C.0:2
2011/2012First roundBidvest Wits F.C.0:1
2010/2011First roundKaizer Chiefs F.C.0:2
2009/2010Semi-FinalsAjax Cape Town F.C.0:2
2008/2009First roundSuperSport United F.C.0:1
2008/2009Quarter-FinalsBloemfontein Celtic F.C.0:1

Nedbank Cup
SeasonRoundOppositionScore
2019/2020Round of 32Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.1:4
2018/2019Round of 32Highlands Park F.C.1:3 (Penalty shootout)
2017/2018Round of 16Ubuntu2:3
2016/2017Round of 32Platinum Stars F.C.2:3
2015/2016Round of 32Jomo Cosmos F.C.3:4 (Penalty shootout)
2014/2015Round of 32Lamontville Golden Arrows F.C.1:2
2013/2014Round of 16Bidvest Wits F.C.1:4
2012/2013Round of 32Tembu Royals F.C.1:2
2011/2012Semi-FinalsSuperSport United F.C.0:3
2010/2011Quarter-FinalsMpumalanga Black Aces F.C.2:3
2009/2010FinalBidvest Wits F.C.0:3
2008/2009Round of 32Black Leopards F.C.0:1
2007/2008Semi-FinalsMamelodi Sundowns F.C.0:1

Current squad
As of 17 February 2020

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 MF  RSA Olwethu Mzimela
2 MF  RSA Siphelele Magubane
4 MF  RSA Michael Morton
5 MF  RSA Sibongakonke Ndlovu
6 MF  ZIM Butholezwe Ncube
7 FW  RSA Bongi Ntuli
8 FW  RSA Jabulani Ncubeni
10 MF  RSA Siyethemba Sithebe
13 FW  RSA Thokozani Ngubane
14 FW  NZL Andre de Jong
16 GK  RSA Moeneeb Josephs
17 DF  RSA Mbongeni Gumede
18 DF  RSA Mario Booysen
19 MF  ZIM Talent Chawapiwa
20 FW  RSA Lehlohonolo Majoro
21 MF  RSA Charlie Hlalele
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 DF  RSA Thembela Sikhakhane
25 DF  RSA Phumlani Gumede
26 FW  RSA Sbusiso Magaqa
27 DF  RSA Tapelo Xoki
28 GK  RSA Siyabonga Mbatha (captain)
29 DF  RSA Sibusiso Mabiliso
31 FW  SVK Miloš Lačný
32 FW  RSA Sandile Khumalo
33 MF  GHA Samuel Darpoh
34 MF  RSA Sphesihle Maduna
35 DF  RSA Boiki Modikaseng
37 FW  RSA Bayanda Shangase
39 DF  RSA Tsepo Masilela
43 GK  RSA Neil Boshoff
50 MF  RSA Nhlanhla Vilakazi

Players on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— DF  RSA Sbu Maluleke (to Royal Eagles until 30 June 2020)
— DF  RSA Xolani Slawula (to Uthongathi until 30 June 2020)
— MF  RSA Singabakho Ngema (to Royal Eagles until 30 June 2020)
— FW  RSA Somila Ntsundwana (to Royal Eagles until 30 June 2020)
— FW  RSA Mhlengi Cele (to Richards Bay until 30 June 2020)
— FW  RSA Nthuthuko Madela (to Jomo Cosmos until 30 June 2020)

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