From “lazy thinker” to Zim great: Why AmaZulu FC coach now backs Thando Ngwenya for Musona status
AmaZulu FC coach Arthur Zwane has made a complete U-turn on Warriors striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya. Four days after branding the forward a “lazy thinker”, Zwane now believes the 23-year-old is a rare talent who can reach the level of Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat and Peter Ndlovu — Zimbabweans who carved a niche in South Africa and beyond.
The former FC Platinum star has been the point of difference for Usuthu as the 2026/27 Betway Premiership gathers momentum. In 5 matches across the Betway Premiership and MTN8, Ngwenya has 5 goals and 1 assist.
Ngwenya is returning from injury after spending the tail end of the 2025/26 season on the treatment table. He still finished as AmaZulu’s top scorer with 7 goals in 19 games.
Zwane’s change of heart came after the 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates at Kings Park. Ngwenya missed a few chances and the coach said the striker “sometimes becomes a lazy thinker.”
‘WHEN HE GOES TO ZIMBABWE, HE MUST BE TREATED LIKE MUSONA, BILLIAT AND NDLOVU’ SAYS ZWANE
But after inspiring a 2-0 win over Siwelele FC with a goal and an assist, Zwane shifted gears and praised the best Zimbabwean striker the moment.
“We will work on Thando. I think last season he was something else. Even with the six league goals he scored, he knows he missed so many one-v-ones,” Zwane said.
“He could have easily hit 15 or 16 before the injury. I remember in Johannesburg he told me after 30 minutes, ‘Coach, I can’t keep up with the tempo.’ I told him, ‘You’re going back there and you’re going to do what we tell you to do.’ He’s strong. He went back, fought, and even scored.
He added: “He reminds me that he’s still young and he’s going to get to the level of the Musonas. I’m his mentor, his coach, and I’m going to push him to that level. I want Thando, when he goes to Zimbabwe, to be treated like Musona, like Billiat, like Peter Ndlovu. He has that potential as a striker.”
Zimbabwe has a proud history in the South African league through Musona, Billiat and Ndlovu. Zwane wants Ngwenya to be the next name on that list, which also includes Tinashe Nengomasha and Willard Katsande.
PLEDGE TO PROTECT THANDOLWENKOSI NGWENYA
Zwane says the key now is keeping Ngwenya fit. He said:“He can score. He has goals in him. He’s not at his best yet because that injury kept him out for a long time and he came back a bit sluggish.
“But he’s a sniper. We will work on him. The last thing that can happen to him is another injury. Right now we need to protect him and make sure he’s okay and forever fit, because he’s one player who is always going to score.”
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