Ex-AmaZulu FC midfielder opens up on ‘hurtful’ episode at the club
Former AmaZulu FC midfielder Butholezwe Ncube has opened up on his ‘hurtful’ episode, which lasted for a month at the KwaZulu-Natal-based side.
Butholezwe Ncube joined Usuthu in 2016, when he was signed from Zimbabwean outfit Tsholotsho FC. After becoming a stalwart at Usuthu, the Zimbabwean saw his contract being extended up to 2022.
His exploits saw him become an invaluable asset then under coach Benni McCarthy, who entrusted the 31-year-old with the defensive midfield role.
In 77 appearances, the combative anchorman scored three goals for AmaZulu FC. While his statistics were decent for a midfielder, his contract was not renewed beyond 2022.
The contract was not renewed at the time he was working on acquiring his permanent residency permit.
BUTHOLEZWE NCUBE ON HIS STAY AT AMAZULU FC: ‘I FELT USELESS’
However, it turns out his stay at the club was not all glittering, particularly the first month when he almost quit. Ncube detailed the terrible experience he faced on his arrival at the DStv Premiership club in July 2016.
“It’s hard to explain,” Ncube told FARPost. “I joined the team high on confidence that I was welcome. For me, it was a breakthrough, but my first days at the club were a nightmare.
“The club management had assured me that everyone was eager to work with me. Little did they know that, some of the players didn’t want me there. They were angry.
“To be honest, I was hurt because of what they said. Some would insult me in isiZulu, not knowing that I’m a Ndebele, which is almost similar to Zulu.”
The former AmaZulu FC midfielder added, “They would insult me in my presence, saying someone must injure me during training. I felt useless and hurt, and I regretted that maybe I should have stayed home. Some of the players were angry that the team signed me while rejecting some locals.
NCUBE ON HOW ENERGY MURAMBADORO BENNI McCarthy HELPED HIM
“I could have retaliated, but Energy Murambadoro was there. He told me to listen for at least a month before revealing that I could understand Zulu.
“It was so bad that I was forced to leave the dining table in camp on several occasions without finishing my food, all because of the insults. It’s something that even made it difficult for me to really interact with some of the players. I thank coach Benni [McCarthy], because he saw everything, how I was struggling to cope.
“He pushed me to focus on what had brought me to South Africa, but the reception I got from my teammates almost made me quit.”
Ncube has since returned to Zimbabwe where he signed for ZIFA Central Region Division One side, Sheasham.
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