AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane has broken his silence on the departure of Vusumuzi Vilakazi, whom he previously shared coaching duties with at Usuthu.
The pair had served as co-coaches since October, following their joint appointment after the sacking of Pablo Franco Martin.
Vilakazi tendered his resignation at the start of this week, citing personal issues and leaving Zwane as the sole head coach for the KZN club.
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Zwane, acknowledged that Vilakazi’s departure was a loss for them, emphasising his importance to the technical team.
Zwane maintained that Vilakazi’s contribution left the team in an improved state, stating the collaborative understanding they had fostered within the squad.
ZWANE SHARES FEELINGS ON VILAKAZI’S EXIT
“Losing one of our important members was always going to be critical,” said Zwane during AmaZulu’s media open day on Thursday.
“At the end of the day, we have to move on and carry on. We have to work. He [Vilakazi] played a huge role. He did very well. We all know coach Kanu, he’s been coaching. He’s been in the mix for quite some time.”
Zwane added: “The good thing is, he has left something behind in terms of the understanding. We worked together very well. We were on the same boat in terms of what we wanted to achieve for the club.”
Meanwhile, Zwane believes they still have what it takes to carry on with the good run while acknowledging the integral role of assistant coach Sboniso Vilakazi.
ZWANE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT USUTHU’S FUTURE
“And having someone like coach Nini [Sboniso Vilakazi], who’s also equal to the task. I think we’re still covered in the department in terms of the manpower,” he added.
“Now is to focus more on the games that are coming because it’s going to be a test. After this game [Cape Town City FC, on Sunday, 2 March], we will travel to Pretoria [for the SuperSport United clash], and they might take it to Polokwane.
“From there, it’s [Mamelodi] Sundowns. You can see now that you have to manage the players. There’s going to be [a lot of] travelling in between. The demands at this level will be much higher than in the past because the games are coming thick and fast.
“Going into the international break [in March], we also want to consolidate our position in the top eight [in the Betway Premiership]. It’s not going to be easy; no one will give it to us. We have to dig deep in order to be among the competing teams up there.”
RELATED STORY: ‘We wish him well in dealing with these demons’: Zungu on Vilakazi
