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AmaZulu: A sleeping giant awakened

AmaZulu: A sleeping giant awakened

Posted: 2010-05-20 12:22

According to AmaZulu's goalkeeper coach, Graham Johnson, the Usuthu is a sleeping giant that has now awakened and their mission is to win trophies, starting with Saturday's Nedbank Cup Final against Bidvest Wits at Soccer City.

"The Nedbank Cup Final pits two good sides against each other. I don't want to come across as being arrogant but I think we have a good chance to end our 18-year cup drought," said Johnson.

So, when asked what has given his team a sharp edge, especially in the second half of the season, where AmaZulu accumulated the most number of points in the second round of the League, plus making two semi-finals (MTN8 and Telkom Cups) and Saturday's Final, Johnson said: "The fact that our entire technical team is loaded with Bafana Bafana experience which no other club in the country can claim, is indeed an a huge advantage.

"Whatever we've achieved at this stage is only a start of things to come for AmaZulu. Much of the team is local, home grown talent and I think we are one of the better passing teams in the League.

"If we keep this squad intact, including the technical team, I'm sure we will go much further and even finish higher up the League standings."

AmaZulu technical team comprises, coach Neil Tovey, the former national team captain who lifted the nation's only major trophy - the 1996 African Nations Cup, Clive Barker (AmaZulu's director of football) who was the coach in the history-making ‘Class of 96'.

Assistant coach Calvin Pietersen was in the Bafana shake-up when Screamer Tshabalala, Jeff Butler and Augusto Palaicos held the reins.

And Johnson, who during his playing days had spells with Durban United and Durban City, served as a goalkeeper coach for Manning Rangers (during the 1996/97 season when Rangers won the inaugural PSL League title) and Moroka Swallows.

In 2004, Johnson got drafted into the national set-up when Stuart Baxter was at the helm of Bafana and Steve Komphela was the assistant coach.

With regards who will get the nod to stand in goals for Saturday's game, Johnson said: "We've got good keepers at AmaZulu. Mbongeni Mzimela is our first choice but a tear in his quadriceps makes him a doubtful starter for Saturday.

"Mzimela has been outstanding since becoming a regular in the second half of the season. He's kept eight clean sheets in 15 games. But Argentinean Nicolas Gindre seems to have settled to life in our set-up.

"At the moment he is full of confidence, especially after blocking three penalties in the semis against Mamelodi Sundowns, so it may not be the best move to replace him." added Johnson.

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K-lab: 2010-05-20 14:10

Hey Mr Johnson,i must admitt u look like dat giant u r talking about.

As 4 Amazulu bcareful this is soccer,it has many faces.
Look at Ajax dey hav bin 2 de finals twice nd came wit nothing,look at FC Cape town they r back 2 square 1 where dey started meaning another many years of disappearance.

Shame poor Fc Cape town.

vinny: 2010-05-20 14:33

is the guy behind you happen to be Jomo Sono,they really do look alike "lol"

Lesiba Robert: 2010-05-20 15:39

I couldn’t agree more Mr. Johnson. I can say your secret weapon is Mr. Neil "Mokoko" Tovey. This Man knows his stories.

He has done it before and he's still doing it. Look at Mamelodi Sundowns, Mokoko invented a system at the Brazilians and that system is maintained to this present moment...

Now he was given an opportunity to resurrect Amuzulu from the dead, and yes he did it with distinctions. Mokoko managed to turn Amazulu from playing a boring and tired soccer to a WOW DISKI. He did it with limited and under rated resources... And for that I SALUTE Mr. Tovey and your Technical team.

Mahlatse le mahlogonolo go sebjana sa NEDBANK... Thereafter, go and do us proud in Africa...

K-lab: 2010-05-20 16:09

vinny: 2010-05-20 14:33
De guy is carrying a camera,perhaps it might b him,change of careers i guess.

By the way whoever was behind Jomo's relegation did a pretty gud job.
Saving our players 4rm unnecessary injuries,Woe unto those who r playing in first division league.