AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane is set to meet with the South African Football Association (SAFA) to finalise his contract for a new role with Bafana Bafana.
The former Kaizer Chiefs mentor is poised to make a highly anticipated return to the national team setup, stepping in as the second assistant coach to newly appointed head coach Pitso Mosimane.
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The technical team restructure follows a massive transition at SAFA House.
Legendary coach Pitso Mosimane recently took over the Bafana Bafana helm after Hugo Broos departed following the conclusion of his five-year tenure.
In assembling a star-studded local coaching unit, Mosimane quickly brought in Morena Ramoreboli—who recently excelled with Botswana’s national team—as his first assistant.
Now, SAFA is moving rapidly to secure Zwane to round out a formidable technical bench ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup qualifying campaigns.
According to sources close to SAFA and internal reports from sports platforms, Zwane was one of the most successful candidates during the selection process. Rather than severing ties with his current employers, “10111” has agreed to join Bafana Bafana on a flexible, part-time basis.
This crucial detail means Zwane will maintain his position as head coach of AmaZulu FC in the Betway Premiership while simultaneously pulling double duty for his country.
A major factor behind SAFA’s pursuit of Zwane is his proven pedigree in youth development. In his dual role, Zwane is expected to directly oversee the South African Under-23 national team setup.
This structural choice is designed to bridge the gap between youth development and the senior international squad, ensuring a seamless pathway for the country’s most promising starlets.
Zwane previously built a stellar reputation during his time in the Kaizer Chiefs youth structures, where he was instrumental in nurturing academy talents who later matured into seasoned top-flight and international professionals.
His current impressive stint at AmaZulu has similarly been defined by his willingness to trust and blood young talent, leading Usuthu to a strong top-four finish last season.
This will not be Zwane’s first taste of the national team environment. The 51-year-old previously served as a Bafana Bafana assistant to Molefi Ntseki, meaning he understands the unique demands, logistical pressures, and immense expectations that come with pulling on the national team tracksuit.
However, the pressure facing the new coaching staff will be higher than ever. Hugo Broos left the national team in a remarkably healthy state, having guided South Africa to consecutive continental showpieces and establishing a competitive foundation.
Local football fans are eager to see if a home-grown coaching trio of Mosimane, Ramoreboli, and Zwane can elevate the team to even greater heights on the global stage.
With contract finalisation talks expected to wrap up shortly, Zwane will have to hit the ground running. Mosimane’s backroom staff already includes highly rated technical analyst Musi Matlaba and fitness coach Kabelo Rangoaga.
The fully assembled brains trust faces its first major test on 30 September, when Bafana Bafana squares off against Guinea at the Orlando Stadium in a crucial AFCON qualifier, followed closely by a fixture against Eritrea in Cairo.
For South African football enthusiasts, Zwane’s imminent appointment signals an exciting era of collaboration.
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By allowing one of the league’s top local tacticians to share his expertise with the national side while keeping his day job at AmaZulu, SAFA is maximizing the country’s coaching intellectual property.
The upcoming contract meeting is merely a formality for a deal that could reshape the trajectory of South Africa’salling future.
