Kaizer Motaung Jnr denies Arthur Zwane's Kaizer Chiefs ‘demotion’

Speaking to the media during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy tour at the Chiefs Village in Naturena this past weekend, Motaung said Zwane has fully welcomed the decision to return as one of the senior coaches in the club’s youth ranks. 

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Zwane, who has been with Chiefs for over two decades, was appointed as head coach in May 2022, but only served one season before he was replaced by Molefi Ntseki in June 2023. 

When Ntseki also parted ways with Chiefs last month, Zwane – who had been working as his assistant alongside Dillon Sheppard – dropped back to the development academy.

In a statement, Chiefs said Zwane was returning to his former role within the development structures of the club, and Motaung doesn’t see this move as a demotion, defending that “Mangethe” fully understands the vision of the club. 

“I can’t say it’s a demotion, I think everyone who is able and lucky to work at this institution understands that we all get called to duty,” argued Kaizer Jr.

“And, if you get deployed to this position or that position, we are all very grateful to wear that badge and coach Arthur knows where this team comes from and what this team needs. 

“Coach Arthur is very focused on being able to bring the talent that we know that the team wants in the future from our academy side.”

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The specific role Zwane is now playing in the development ranks remains unclear, with Vela Khumalo in charge of the reserve team, where the former Bafana Bafana winger previously served. 

But, with Chiefs’ head of development academy Cavin Johnson now occupying the interim head coach position in the senior team, Zwane’s experience in the juniors’ side could come in handy as well as in the vacant scouting roles at the club. 

The 50-year-old tactician had worked as an assistant to two of his predecessors Gavin Hunt and Stuart Baxter before he was appointed as the head coach.