DailySun
AmaZulu co-coach Vusi Vilakazi has expressed that he does not feel the pressure at Usuthu, in contrast to his time at Richards Bay, as the team is not required to sacrifice quality football for mere results.
AmaZulu secured their second consecutive league victory by defeating rivals Richards Bay 3-1 on Saturday, propelling them to 13th place in the Betway Premiership standings.
Since co-coaches Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane took over after Pablo Franco Martin’s exit, Usuthu has achieved two wins in their last three league encounters, bouncing back from an initial streak of three losses.
Before stepping into the role of head coach for the reserve team at Usuthu, Kanu was released from his position as head coach of the Natal Rich Boys, despite leading them to success in their relegation playoff.
The 42-year-old faced a similar challenge when he was asked to co-coach a struggling Usuthu side at the bottom of the relegation zone. However, the former Golden Arrows coach insists that the situations are not identical, emphasizing that there’s no urgency at AmaZulu.
“Currently, we are not in panic mode, and we made it clear upon our arrival that our aim is to gradually improve our standing at AmaZulu. I am confident we have time and matches ahead of us, so there is no urgency like there was at Richards Bay, where we had to fight through tough times. Our style of play wasn’t even enjoyable; it was purely about survival,” he articulated.
Usuthu’s victory over Richards Bay was significantly aided by three young players who made vital contributions to the team’s success.
24-year-old Tshepang Moremi, along with 23-year-olds Rowan Human and Ethan Brooks, made important contributions to all three goals, starting the match ahead of several more seasoned players.
The Usuthu co-coach commended the trio for their impact on the team’s success while also providing constructive feedback.
“I see great potential in them, but I must emphasize that they need to better express themselves. We need to support them and foster an environment where they can showcase their talents,” Vilakazi remarked.
While acknowledging the skills of the Usuthu youngsters, coach Kanu highlighted areas for improvement, stating, “Concerning ball retention, that’s not something we can instill in them; however, we must emphasize our defensive structure. That’s where they currently fall short; they excel in ball handling but need to elevate their game to compete at the highest level.”
The Durban club aims to assemble a fully fit squad that merges experience with youthful vigor as they prepare for three challenging matches to close out the year.
In their quest to avoid relegation, Usuthu is set to face TS Galaxy away on Sunday, return home to take on Royal AM, and finish the year with an away clash against Cape Town City in the Western Cape.
The post Kanu: This Is Not The Same As Bay’s Situation first appeared on Sportswire.
