Sandile Zungu explained his reasons for ringing in the changes at Usuthu

Speaking exclusively on Ukhozi FM's Prime Time Sports with Victor Molefe, Zungu said they had to take a telling decision that would ensure they finish within a respectable DStv Premiership' top 8 position.

An axe fell on the team's coach Romain Folz following a string of indifferent results. Folz has been redeployed to the role of technical director. 

Zungu said Folz will be his technical adviser and shall not meet with the technical team or the players. 

He said the brand of Amazulu FC cannot be associated with relegation and putting Dlamini as a head coach would ensure continuity.

"We had to take a decision that may get us into the top eight. We no longer talk about relegation here; we banned that word in our change room. We were not going to get into the top eight if we continued with the way that we were doing things. Then we decided that, in as much as we love Folz, no one is bigger than Usuthu. No player is bigger than the brand, so we have to protect the brand at all times," he said. 

Manzini insists that he saw how disappointed AmaZulu fans were with the team, even asking him why he is embarrassing them in front of the whole country.

 AmaZulu are currently number 12 on the log.

"I saw Usuthu fans on Saturday and they were very angry. After the game they asked if they could speak to me, our senior staff tried to stop them. But I could see how disappointed they were and I wasn't ignoring it. They even shouted at me, asking why we are embarrassing them in front of the whole country. Here at Usuthu we listen to our supporters," he added.

He said in realising uSuthu's vision 2032 which includes winning the domestic league titles and the CAF Champions League when the team celebrates a century, Folz had to be closer to him to draw his wisdom and knowledge of the beautiful game. 

Dlamini has six games to take the team from the 12th to bracket eight and is not new to this capacity as he has done so in the past.

"When I spoke to him yesterday, I said; Malandela you were given a chance to be an Assistant for our MDC team, then we brought you back to assist Folz, you are now given a chance to lead the club, please show us how hard you can work because there won't be a third term. So, please show us what you have learnt in the past two seasons. We will give him everything that he needs to lead the team. If he says he wants the players who have been suspended to return to training, we won't disagree with him," he concluded.

By: Victor Molefe