AmaZulu F.C.

AmaZulu Football Club
Nickname(s) Usuthu, Amaqhawe (Heroes)
Founded 1932 (1932), as Zulu Royals
Ground Princess Magogo Stadium, Durban
Capacity 12,000
Chairman Patrick Sokhela
Coach South Africa Cavin Johnson[1]
League Premier Soccer League
2016–17 National First Division, 5th
Website Club website
The old logo of AmaZulu F.C. before 2009.

AmaZulu is a South African football club based in the city of Durban that played in the Premier Soccer League. They were relegated in the 2014–15 season. After a failure to be promoted in the 2016-17 season they rejoined the Premier Soccer League by purchasing the Thanda Royal Zulu's Premier Soccer League Status.

The club's nickname, Usuthu, is a Zulu war cry.

History

One of the oldest clubs in South Africa, AmaZulu was formed by Zulu migrant workers in 1932 and originally named Zulu Royal Conquerors. The club was then introduced to then Zulu king Solomon, who changed the team’s name to Zulu Royals, their colours to royal blue and white, and also introduced the shield to their logo.

After a split within the club over the team’s decision to play a match rather than attend the funeral of the King in 1968, Zulu Royal United was formed in 1970, but just three years later another split led to the formation of AmaZulu Football Club. AmaZulu were crowned league champions in 1972 topping the now defunct NPSL. They also won the Coca-Cola Cup in 1992 under veteran South African coach Clive Barker who had seven stints with the club since the mid 1970s.

In 2005, Patrick Sokhela took over the running of the club, and immediately bought the Premier Soccer League status of Dynamos to return the club to the top flight.

To commemorate the club's 80th anniversary in 2012 AmaZulu played a friendly against English giants Manchester United on 18 July 2012 losing by a solitary goal scored by Federico Macheda.

Notable former coaches

Honours

League

  • NPSL Champions: 1972
  • First Division Coastal Stream Winners(2nd tier): 2000–01, 2002–03
  • Mvela Platinum play-offs Winners(1st tier Relegation/Promotion play-offs): 2007

Cups

  • Coca-Cola Cup Winners: 1992

Club records

  • Most starts: South Africa Julius Chirwa 244
  • Most goals: South Africa Owen Nzimande 55
  • Most capped player: Zimbabwe Francis Shonhai 13
  • Most starts in a season: South Africa Archie Radebe 41 (1987)
  • Most goals in a season: South Africa George Dearnaley 23 (1992)
  • Record victory: 16–0 vs Barcelona Barcelona (31/8/86, Mainstay Cup)
  • Record defeat: 1–8 vs South Africa SuperSport United (6/6/04, PSL)

Premier Soccer League record

Club officials/Technical team

  • Chairman: South Africa Patrick Sokhela
  • Managing director: South Africa Graham O'Connor
  • General manager: South Africa Peter O'Connor
  • Team manager: South Africa Japhet Zwane
  • Coach: South Africa Cavin Johnson
  • Assistant coach: Zimbabwe Prince Matore
  • Goalkeeper coach: Zambia Davis Phiri
  • Head of youth development: South Africa Steve Bezuidenhout

First team squad

As of 4 September 2018

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Zimbabwe GK Energy Murambadoro
2 South Africa FW Mabhuti Khenyeza
4 South Africa MF Michael Morton
5 South Africa DF Marc Van Heerden
6 Zimbabwe MF Butholezwe Ncube
8 South Africa FW Jabulani Ncubeni
9 South Africa FW Mhlengi Cele
10 South Africa FW Siyabonga Nomvethe
11 Zimbabwe FW Ovidy Karuru
13 Togo DF Sadat Ouro-Akoriko
14 South Africa MF Siyethemba Mnguni
16 South Africa MF Siduduzo Dlamini
17 South Africa DF Mbongeni Gumede (captain)
18 South Africa GK Moeneeb Josephs
20 Argentina FW Emiliano Tade
21 South Africa MF Charlie Hlalele
22 South Africa FW Augustine Ramphele
24 South Africa DF Thembela Sikhakhane
25 South Africa DF Phumlani Gumede
No. Position Player
27 South Africa DF Tapelo Nyongo
28 South Africa GK Siyabonga Mbatha
29 South Africa DF Sibusiso Mabiliso
32 South Africa FW Simphiwe Lumkwana
33 Ghana MF Samuel Darpoh
34 South Africa MF Sphesihle Maduna
35 South Africa DF Boiki Modikaseng
36 South Africa DF Simphiwe Mtsweni
40 South Africa DF Xolani Silawula
43 South Africa GK Neil Boshoff
45 South Africa FW Somila Ntsundwana
50 South Africa MF Nhlanhla Vilakazi
— South Africa FW Bongi Ntuli
— South Africa MF Zaakir Williams
— South Africa MF Thabiso Dlamini
— South Africa MF Boysen Mbatha
— South Africa DF Graeme Pratt
— South Africa DF Zola Jingxi

Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

References

  1. ↑ "AmaZulu appoint Johnson after Antipas axing". Retrieved 20 March 2018.
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