Arthur Zwane: ‘AmaZulu FC still in it despite loss to Pirates’

AmaZulu FC coach Arthur Zwane remains bullish that his side can still claim the Betway Premiership third spot despite losing 2-0 to table-topping Orlando Pirates in Durban on Tuesday.

In a pitchside post-match interview with SuperSport Television crew at Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Kaizer Chiefs legend blamed the defeat partly on fatigue from the previous weekend.

FULL-TIME ⏰ | #BetwayPremiership 🏆#AmaZuluFC 0⃣ ➖ 2⃣ Orlando Pirates#BetwayPrem #HebeUsuthu #UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/iWo1JbT2t9

— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) February 3, 2026

“When playing against a quality side like Pirates, you don’t have to give them time and space,” he said.

“The energy that we left in Bloemfontein, it was very hot and there you could see the boys couldn’t respond very early in the game. They looked a little bit sluggish, but after refreshing the team with substitutions in the second-half, we looked like we could get something from this game.”

Why Zwane remains optimistic

The coach said he was not overly worried by the defeat which saw Usuthu clinging to fourth place in the Betway Premiership table. The Durban-based side has 30 points from 17 games. Pirates top the table on 35 points from 15 matches.

“We are still in it in terms of fighting for the third spot because they are still going to cancel each other out. There are a lot of games to play. I believe in this squad. They also showed that they can come back and give their best,” Zwane said.

AmaZulu FC will return to action on Tuesday to face Polokwane City in a Nedbank Cup Round-of-16 game.