Zondo defends against PSL hiatus

Royal AM coach Khabo Zondo has responded to suggestions that he might be out of touch given that he has returned to the topflight dugout after a 13-year hiatus. 

Zondo was earlier this month appointed by the Durban-based DStv Premiership outfit to replace John Maduka, who has crossed over and joined KwaZulu-Natal rivals Maritzburg United. 

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The last time Zondo coached in the elite league was at the now-defunct Bay United in 2009, hence the surprise that he got the Royal AM nod ahead of other candidates. 

"I've been busy with the youngsters, you've seen me in Nedbank - there's Maphosa Modiba, so I was contributing into the game of football," Zondo told SABC Sport.

"It's not about sitting on the bench of a PSL club. If you love the game, you will contribute in any way - there's Bongani Sam, there's a youngster that plays at Chippa United...

"So, the contribution has been immense for me to believe that I'm still a coach, I still do what I love. When Royal AM came to me, I appreciated the opportunity and I said, 'I can do it.'"

We™re excited to introduce our HC Khabo Zondo, new physical trainer; Thabo Maloka and our new signees: Andre Ernest De Jong, Ketha Ndlovu, Samir Nurkovic and Ruzaigh Gamildien.????#royalam | #thwihlithwahla pic.twitter.com/AuDDy0bcBS

” RoyalAM_FC (@RAMFC_sa) July 1, 2022

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Meanwhile, the coach is coy over the future of striker Ndumiso Mabena, who, as was reported by SABC Sport, was meant to join Swallows but the Dube Birds were reluctant to take him on board. 

Khetukuthula Ndlovu is also having contractual issues after initially agreeing to move to AM from Swallows but has since been issued an ultimatum by the club™s lawyer. 

"Can I, for now, not elaborate much on players that still have some issues... I'll leave that for the management to deal with that," he said.

By Mazola Molefe