Amazulu FC’s rookie experiment goes sideways
Dlamini will now be re-assigned to a role as coach within the club’s development ranks.
Amazulu Football Club’s rookie head coach, Ayanda Dlamini, has been demoted to the development ranks following a lukewarm start to the season.
In a statement released on Monday, the Durban-based side said that Dlamini, 35, had “voluntarily stepped down” from his head coach position. “Coach Ayanda has done a phenomenal job since assuming the head coaching role. The passion and zeal the players have demonstrated under his tenure as head coach demonstrates that he is one of the prospects for the future,” said Sandile Zungu, owner and President of Amazulu FC.
Dlamini assumed the head coach role in February this year after helping the club survive relegation in the previous season. This was Dlamini’s first head coach position since he retired from playing football. His appointment coincided with the take-over of the club by the Zungu brothers.
In an unveiling of 10 new signings before the start of the season, Zungu set Dlamini the goal of finishing in the top four spots of the Premier Soccer League this season. But after one win from their opening six games, Amazulu languish on the 11th spot in the table, much closer to the relegation places than the top four. Dlamini will now be re-assigned to a role as coach within the club’s development ranks.
“We will continue to trust him with the advancement of our development structures because he is fully committed to vision 2032. His role is integral in ensuring that Amazulu have a solid base of young players coming through the ranks,” said Zungu.
Allan Freese, the assistant coach, will step in as interim head coach while Amazulu searches for a new permanent coach. Bafana Bafana’s all-time goalscorer, Benni McCarthy is reported among the front runners for the position. Freese’s first game in charge will be the Durban derby against Lamontville Golden Arrows on 16 December at the Kings Park stadium.
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