AmaZulu FC coach Arthur Zwane says the news of the passing of super fan Luyanda Mbuyazi, well-known as ‘Usuthu Queen’, came at the worst possible time as they were preparing for their Nedbank Cup clash.
Mbuyazi touched football fans through her unwavering support for the Betway Premiership side and her unique dress code.
She passed away earlier this month following a short illness. The club also showed their support, with players and the technical team also attending the funeral.
Zwane detailed the profound impact Mbuyazi’s passing had on the squad, noting that the tragedy struck at a critical juncture in their Nedbank Cup quarter-final preparations.
The emotional weight seemed to take its toll on the pitch, as Usuthu subsequently slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Casric Stars a fortnight ago. However, the KZN outfit showed great character to honour her memory last weekend, bouncing back with a resilient 2-1 league victory over Richards Bay FC.
AMAZULU FC COACH SAYS THE CLUB HAS BEEN BADLY AFFECTED BY THE DEATH OF A FAN
“We were badly affected, to be honest. When the news came out, it was at the wrong time because we got the news when we were preparing for Casric, if my memory serves me well,” said Zwane.
“I wouldn’t say it could have played a role for us not to proceed to the next round, but we were affected because she was one of our pillars. She was there through thick and thin, and she supported us even when chips were down.
“She would have been here by now or arriving tomorrow morning, all the way to Cape Town, Gqeberha, East London. Wherever we played, she was there.
“So she was spiritually connected to us. Losing a person of that calibre who injects positive energy into the team becomes a big blow. It also depends on what stage of the season we lost her. We still can’t cope with it, but that’s nature, and we just hope that she is resting well.”
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