AmaZulu FC co-coach Arthur Zwane has opened up about the abuse and chaos that ensued towards the end of his tenure as Kaizer Chiefs head coach back in the 2022/23 season.
Zwane was given the head coach position at Chiefs at the start of that campaign with fans hopeful he would turn the team’s fortunes around after a lengthy trophy drought.
However, his spell at the helm of Mzansi’s most-supported side did not yield the desired outcome as they struggled to find consistent form and ultimately finished a lowly fifth in the standings.
On two occasions during that tumultuous campaign, ‘10111’ needed to be escorted by police down the tunnel as supporters turned violent following shock defeats to Golden Arrows and SuperSport United, in addition to abuse on social media.
Since then, the retired winger was redeployed back to the cub’s youth structures and has now resurfaced as a co-coach at AmaZulu.
Speaking at Usuthu’s media open day on Wednesday, Zwane revealed that the abuse he endured at the Soweto giants did not affect him but rather his family.
“Yeah, obviously after I was redeployed, I think I needed a break. But I was obviously working with the young ones, leading all the divisions, trying to align things. I think that kind of revived my energy, that helped big time,” Zwane revealed.
“So, about what people were saying in football, that’s part of the game. I don’t take it personally. I understand it comes as a package.
“Everyone has got a different opinion and we respect that and you must know that people invest their emotions as well in the game. So, it’s not because they disrespect you or they hate you or something.
“They will say whatever they want to say. as I said, It comes as a package. The only people that get affected more, but if you don’t try to make them aware, are your kids.
“So, yeah, it affected my kids but not me because I’ve been in the game for many, many years.”
“And I had to make them [my kids] aware of the situation and also understand that this is where your father is and you’ve got to understand.
“It’s either some of the things you stay away from them or you just support. Because you love the game. When your father wins, you also celebrate.
“So, now it comes with this when results are not forthcoming,” he continued.
