Zwane in race against time to find AmaZulu's balance as in-form Gallants await

AmaZulu head coach Arthur Zwane is in a race to find the right balance in his squad during the early stages of the 2025/26 season, and will be hoping to use their Betway Premiership clash against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday to lay a solid foundation for that project going forward.

The Durban-based club are eager to build on last season’s Top 8 finish, which marked their best league performance in three years. Since taking over last season, Zwane has injected positivity into the Usuthu ranks. 

His leadership and tactical approach helped the club finish strong last season, but their inability to consistently convert chances into goals remains his team's Achilles’ heel. Despite creating the second most chances in the division last campaign, finding the net proved a struggle at crucial moments.

This season, Zwane is navigating a squad overhaul. A blend of experienced recruits and emerging youngsters has added depth, but integrating them quickly remains a challenge. 

The coach admits that striking the perfect balance between attack and defence will take time and patience.

“A lot of times when you start rebuilding a squad, with the mixture of experienced players and youth, there is always an imbalance,” Zwane said.

He added, “When you look at the way we concede goals and the way we miss chances.

"It has a lot to do with patience and experience ... you don’t get all of them at once. Sometimes we defend well and don’t do well offensively or vice versa but the last time we played at home we defended well.”

Gallants arrive in impressive form, making them a stern test for Zwane’s side. The visitors have shown consistency early in the campaign and will pose a threat with their structured attack and pace on the flanks. 

For AmaZulu, getting the balance right between solid defending and creative finishing will be key to claiming three points in front of their home fans.

The Princess Magogo Stadium provides a familiar environment for Usuthu, and Zwane hopes the support of his loyal crowd in KwaMashu can spur his side to find cohesion faster. 

With every training session and match, the coach is keen to see the mixture of youth and experience begin to click, turning potential into tangible results on the pitch. Wednesday’s clash promises a tactical battle, testing Zwane’s ability to strike the balance he seeks while challenging Gallants’ in-form momentum. 

For AmaZulu, early-season points could set the tone for a campaign built on progress, patience, and persistence. Usuthu will welcome an in-form Gallants side to the Princess Magogo Stadium at 7.30pm.