Warriors striker Ngwenya branded ‘lazy’ by AmaZulu coach despite four goals in three games
While he has been free-scoring in the early stages of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership, Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has received a scathing assessment from his coach at AmaZulu, one that means he must dig deep to maintain his spot at the South African club.
AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane did not hold back in his comments on Ngwenya, branding him a “lazy thinker” after their 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates on Wednesday night.
Ngwenya scored their equalising goal in the 1-1 stalemate. That was his fourth goal in all competitions, having netted the winner they needed to beat Stellenbosch in the season opener and a brace in the 4-3 loss in the MTN8 quarterfinals.
Despite scoring the crucial goal, the 23-year-old received a scathing assessment from coach Zwane, who labelled him “lazy.”
Thando Ngwenya in action for AmaZulu FC
‘SOMETIMES HE BECOMES A LAZY THINKER’ SAYS ZWANE
Simply put, Zwane is not happy with the Warriors striker, making it clear that goals alone are not enough for him to last the distance at AmaZulu FC.
“Firstly, we regained possession, and as an offensive player you need to pass and make a forward movement. He makes a four-metre pass and then stops, so what must Athini do with the ball?” Zwane told SuperSport TV.
“When you are an offensive player, you think about going forward; you pass and go because, as a striker, you want to see goals, but now if you become lazy, I have a problem with you.
“So I was telling him [Ngwenya] that I don’t deal with lazy players. Yes, you can score for us, but if you don’t work off the ball and work for us to create goals, then it’s not going to work because in this league, you need sharp shooters, and he’s got the potential to do that, but sometimes he becomes a lazy thinker.”
Ngwenya is returning following a foot injury that saw him miss the last games of the 2025/26 season, where he finished as the club’s top scorer with eight goals in 20 appearances across all competitions.
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