Former AmaZulu defender Limbikani Mzava has said coach John Maduka needs more time to rebuild Maritzburg United.
The Malawi captain said this as Maduka’s struggles continued with a 2-0 loss to Golden Arrows on Friday, coming a week after a 5-0 hammering by Mamelodi Sundowns.
CELTIC CONNECTION
Mzava knows compatriot Maduka from their days at Bloemfontein Celtic when the coach was then serving as team manager.
The defender said it was not surprising that Maduka excelled at Royal AM who emerged from Celtic’s ashes.
Mzava said Maduka had been with most Celtic players for a long time, including when Siwelele evolved to Royal AM.
He said there was a strong bond between the coach and the players.
The Flames defender said such bond made it easy for the players to understand the coach’s philosophy.
“In football, it is normal to get to this kind of situation. You know he has been with Celtic who are now Royal AM,” he said.
QUALITY OF PLAYERS
“He was with the players for a long time and he had a strong team and that is why things were going his way right,” Mzava said.
“Now, he is at a new club definitely, it can’t be the same unless he found good players. I am not saying there are no good players there but it is like he is building another team.”
He added: “He is a good coach. We don’t know how long it [rebuilding] is going to take. He started well. I am thinking that things will change.”
Mzava has been clubless after being released alongside other players at AmaZulu in a massive clear-out.
The defender insists he is taking his time before he announces his next football project.
Mzava captained Malawi under-17 to the 2009 AFCON and World Cup version for the age group.
He then graduated to the senior team the Flames leading them to the delayed 2021 AFCON finals in Cameroon.
Mzava played for Tigers and Escom United in Malawi becoming a captain in both teams at a tender age.
He signed for Celtic around the year 2012 then moved to Golden Arrows followed by stints at Mpumalanga Black Aces then AmaZulu.
