Experienced midfielder Hendrick Ekstein has given his full support to coach Arthur Zwane’s decision to build AmaZulu around young players. The senior player says the club’s veterans are committed to helping the youngsters grow and achieve success this season.
AmaZulu is currently sitting in fourth place in the Betway Premiership. The team has also reached the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup. This impressive performance has surprised many football fans. Arthur Zwane, who is 52 years old, took sole charge of the team at the start of this campaign.
The secret behind this success is a simple change in strategy. During pre-season, the club made bold decisions. They released older players who were not performing well. In their place, Zwane brought in several young talents from the youth system. This move has shaped the club’s future direction.
Young players like Nkosikhona Radebe, Liam Bern, Langelihle Mhlongo, and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya have become important members of the squad. These youngsters have played key roles in the team’s good results this season. Their energy and willingness to learn have impressed both the coach and senior players.
For Zwane, working with youth is nothing new. The coach is nicknamed “10111” and spent many years developing young talent at Kaizer Chiefs before joining AmaZulu. His experience in youth development has made it easy for him to trust and nurture the next generation at his current club.
Ekstein explained that having senior players act as mentors makes the coach’s job easier. The veterans play an elder-brother role to the youngsters. According to Ekstein, the young players are eager to learn and improve. This attitude makes it simple for the experienced players to guide them.
The midfielder is not the only senior player helping with this mission. Bongani Zungu and Riaan Hanamub have also been instrumental in shaping the young talents. Ekstein says he enjoys this responsibility. The youngsters are disciplined and respectful, which makes mentoring them a pleasure.
The senior players work closely with Zwane and his coaching staff. Their job includes showing the youngsters the right way to behave both on and off the field. They help them understand what it takes to succeed at professional level.
Ekstein has been at AmaZulu for five seasons now. He previously played for Kaizer Chiefs in Gauteng and even had a spell in Azerbaijan. The midfielder says he is enjoying life in KwaZulu-Natal. He finds the region pleasant and is happy to have stayed for five years.
If AmaZulu continues their current form, they could end the club’s 34-year wait for a trophy. The team has a chance to win either the league title or the Nedbank Cup, or possibly both. Such an achievement would be historic for the club.
Club president Sandile Zungu has been vocal about his ambitions. He wants the team to win silverware and finish in the top four consistently. Ekstein says the players want to deliver success not just for the president, but also for themselves and the supporters.
The team’s next challenge comes in the Nedbank Cup last 16. They will face neighbours Richards Bay on the weekend of February 21-22. This local derby promises to be an exciting match.
Ekstein revealed an interesting preference about cup draws. He actually prefers facing teams from the top division rather than lower-league sides. The reason is easy to understand. When playing familiar opponents, the team can access match footage and analyze their playing style. With lower-division teams, getting video clips is not always simple. This makes preparation more difficult.
The midfielder explained that doing proper analysis helps the team prepare better. Having footage allows them to study opponents and create effective game plans.
AmaZulu’s journey this season shows that trusting young players can bring positive results. With experienced heads guiding the way and hungry youngsters eager to prove themselves, the team has found a winning formula.
