Nkosikhona Radebe feels the growing maturity as AmaZulu has helped them deal with pressure situatoins better this season.
As AmaZulu put the finishing touches on their preparations for Sunday's Carling Knockout quarter-final against Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium, key figures Sandile Mthethwa and Nkosikona Radebe have laid bare the squad's soaring ambition: creating a lasting legacy for the club and its president, Sandile Zungu.
Inside the AmaZulu dressing room, the sting of being ‘almost there’ last season has hardened into a fierce collective resolve to bring major silverware back to KwaZulu-Natal, ending a long trophy drought.
For central defender Mthethwa, the expectation that comes with wearing the green jersey is something to be embraced rather than feared.
“Individually, it's a lot of pressure because you know you have a job to fulfil the president's dream to win something for the club,” Mthethwa told reporters during the club’s media open day. “When you sign for AmaZulu, you know there is pressure you need to face.
"But as a group, it’s our goal. Each and every time we advance to another round in a cup or collect three points in the league, we get one step closer. We want to lift a trophy and give it to the president because he truly deserves it, and so does the club. I don't want my time here to end without silverware in my hands. We want a legacy for ourselves and for the badge.”
Mthethwa was also quick to deflect praise for the team's stingy backline, highlighting head coach Arthur Zwane’s collective pressing system in shutting out opposing attackers.
“It’s not only the defence; what has changed is that we defend as a group, as a team,” said Mthethwa. “The defending starts right from the front – the attackers are working tirelessly. For us at the back, it makes our job easier because opponents don't get through to us as often. What brought us here is discipline on and off the field.”
That relentless work ethic from the attacking unit has been epitomised by young forward Nkosikona Radebe, who has flourished under Zwane’s guidance. Addressing Usuthu's growing tag of tournament favourites, Radebe pointed to a noticeable shift in squad maturity.
“When I compare this side to last season, our maturity and experience are on a completely different level,” Radebe explained. “That has helped us immensely in dealing with the pressure. We constantly remind ourselves that we cannot repeat the mistakes of last season. We were almost there back then, but now things have to change.”
While much of the pre-match buildup has centred on the tactical face-off between Zwane and his former mentor Gavin Hunt, Radebe dismissed any idea that Usuthu are over-analysing the opposition.
“When we prepare, we don’t focus too heavily on the opponent,” he insisted. “We focus on ourselves. We look at our previous game, identify our own mistakes, and spend the week fixing them on the training pitch. We aren’t overly obsessed with what Stellenbosch will do; we are focusing on getting our own house in order.”
The 20-year-old also credited coach Zwane for refining his game and keeping him grounded.
“Hearing the coach speak highly of me makes me happy because it reflects personal growth and being coachable,” said Radebe. “When coaches guide you, you have an obligation to absorb the lessons and mature. In football, it all comes down to consistency in everything you do.”
AmaZulu lock horns with Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday evening (6 pm kickoff), with a coveted Carling Knockout semi-final ticket on the line.