AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane has expressed strong concerns regarding his team’s heavy reliance on forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.
While the striker has enjoyed a prolific opening stretch, Zwane believes a single-player focus creates serious tactical vulnerabilities.
According to a report by iol.co.za, Ngwenya has hit the ground running this term. The Zimbabwean forward has already scored seven goals across all competitions, including five in four Betway Premiership appearances and two in the MTN8.
His contribution was highlighted again during Usuthu’s recent 5-2 defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns FC, where he scored both goals for his team.
The Tactical Risk of Overreliance
From a broader perspective, relying on a single key attacker presents a significant risk for any squad competing across demanding domestic fixtures.
Ngwenya missed roughly ten weeks of action last season due to injury, which severely disrupted the team’s momentum. Zwane is acutely aware that a similar setback could leave the squad without a direct goal threat.
Towards the end of the match against Sundowns, Ngwenya showed clear signs of cramping. This highlighted the immediate physical strain on the 24-year-old attacker.
Zwane emphasized the need for other forward players to step up and share the scoring burden:
“It’s good to see him scoring goals. The only concern is that it can’t be only him who scores for us. Others also need to take responsibility. You can’t rely on him, because if he gets injured again, then we’re going to have a problem.”
A Delicate Balancing Act
Managing player load is critical. Zwane admitted that replacing Ngwenya during matches remains difficult because alternative attacking options are still regaining match fitness after missing pre-season training.
Until the rest of the frontline reaches full sharpness, balancing Ngwenya’s workload against the risk of fatigue or injury remains a central challenge for the technical team.
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