Ambitious KwaZulu-Natal side AmaZulu have two of Bafana Bafana’s greatest ever strikers – Benni McCarthy and Siyabonga Nomvethe – now managing the club.
READ | GAVIN HUNT IDENTIFIES NO 1 AREA OF CONCERN FOR KAIZER CHIEFS
McCarthy was appointed coach of the club last week and has moved quickly to enlist the services of Nomvethe as his assistant coach.
McCarthy, now 43, played 80 matches for the national team, scoring a record 31 goals in those appearances.
NOMVETHE IS THE ALL-TIME LEADING PSL GOAL-SCORER
Nomvethe, also 43, was as of last season still playing football.
‘Bhele’, as Nomvethe is affectionately known, scored 16 goals in the 81 matches he played for Bafana Bafana.
He is also the all-time leading PSL goal-scorer with 123 goals during the time he spent at Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu.
ALSO READ | HAVE TS GALAXY ALREADY FOUND A REPLACEMENT FOR AXED DAN MALESELA?
Speaking after AmaZulu’s 3-1 win over Chippa United on Saturday, McCarthy said that Nomvethe was a “breath of fresh air” on the touchline.
“You know I thought in football, coaching is one of the most lonely jobs,” McCarthy said.
“As a coach it can be lonely being out there even though you’ve got a team in the back, but still you are on your own. Really it seemed like I was so lonely by myself.
“But you know what, I’ve asked Nomvethe to join our technical team. He has been a breath of fresh air. You know he still looks like a player, he still behaves like that in the team.
“It’s so important to have someone from Durban, someone from the township who comes from the ranks and played at the highest level, a Bafana Bafana legend who was my striking partner.”
AMAZULU WILL TAKE A BREAK OVER CHRISTMAS
Usuthu will take a break over the Christmas long weekend and reassemble on Monday, December 28 to prepare for their fixtures in early 2021.
AmaZulu finished 2020 in eighth place in the standings with nine points, still some distance off the top 4 positions McCarthy spoke about as his goal at his unveiling.
Their first match of the new year is against Bloemfontein Celtic on Sunday, January 10. Three days later they will host a struggling Kaizer Chiefs side.
Nomvethe’s appointment may well not be the last at AmaZulu as it’s believed Moeneeb Josephs could also return to the club in January alongside new performance analysts and fitness trainers from Scotland.
McCarthy’s wife is Scottish and the couple spend a fair amount of time in the country.
IN CLOSING | PERCY TAU IS ON TRACK TO BREAK BENNI MCCARTHY’S BAFANA RECORD
