AmaZulu F.C.

**Home colours**

**Away colours**

 File:AmaZulu logo old.svg
**AmaZulu** is a South African football club based in the city of Durban that played in the Premier Soccer League. They were relegated in the 2014–15 season. After a failure to be promoted in the 2016-17 season they rejoined the Premier Soccer League by purchasing the Thanda Royal Zulu's Premier Soccer League Status.

The club's nickname, *Usuthu*, is a Zulu war cry.

## History

One of the oldest clubs in South Africa, AmaZulu was formed by Zulu migrant workers in 1932 and originally named Zulu Royal Conquerors. The club was then introduced to then Zulu king Solomon, who changed the team’s name to Zulu Royals, their colours to royal blue and white, and also introduced the shield to their logo.

After a split within the club over the team’s decision to play a match rather than attend the funeral of the King in 1968, Zulu Royal United was formed in 1970, but just three years later another split led to the formation of AmaZulu Football Club. AmaZulu were crowned league champions in 1972 topping the now defunct NPSL. They also managed to win the Coca-Cola Cup in 1992 under veteran South African coach Clive Barker who had seven stints with the club since the mid 1970s.

In 2005, Patrick Sokhela took over the running of the club, and immediately bought the Premier Soccer League status of Dynamos to return the club to the top flight.

To commemorate the club's 80th anniversary in 2012 AmaZulu played a friendly against English giants Manchester United on 18 July 2012 losing by a solitary goal scored by Federico Macheda.

## Notable former coaches

* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Clive Barker (1974–76, 1986–87, 1991–93)
* Template:Country data Republic of Ireland Eoin Hand (1993)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Clive Barker (1997–99)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Neil Tovey (2001–02)
* File:Flag of Burundi.svg Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo (2003–04)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Clive Barker (2004, 1 July 2006 – 29 Nov 2006)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Reggie Shelembe *(interim)* (30 Nov 2006 – 30 Jan 2007)
* File:Flag of Brazil.svg Júlio César Leal (31 Jan 2007 – 30 June 2007)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Clive Barker (1 July 2007 – 30 June 2009)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Neil Tovey (1 July 2009 – 28 June 2010)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Manqoba Mngqithi (1 July 2010 – Sept 19, 2011)
* File:Flag of Sweden.svg Roger Palmgren (Sept 19, 2011–26 Nov 2012)
* File:Flag of South Africa.svg Craig Rosslee (29 Nov 2012–)

## Honours

League

* NPSL Champions: 1972
* First Division Coastal Stream Winners(2nd tier): 2000–01, 2002–03
* Mvela Platinum play-offs Winners(1st tier Relegation/Promotion play-offs): 2007

Cups

* Coca-Cola Cup Winners: 1992

## Club records

* Most starts: File:Flag of South Africa.svg Julius Chirwa 244
* Most goals: File:Flag of South Africa.svg Owen Nzimande 55
* Most capped player: File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Francis Shonhai 13
* Most starts in a season: File:Flag of South Africa.svg Archie Radebe 41 (1987)
* Most goals in a season: File:Flag of South Africa.svg George Dearnaley 23 (1992)
* Record victory: 16–0 vs Template:Country data Barcelona Barcelona (31/8/86, Mainstay Cup)
* Record defeat: 1–8 vs File:Flag of South Africa.svg SuperSport United (6/6/04, PSL)

### Premier Soccer League record

* 2014–15 – 16th (relegated)
* 2013–14 – 9th
* 2012–13 – 12th
* 2011–12 – 7th
* 2010–11 – 14th
* 2009/2010 – 9th
* 2008/2009 – 8th
* 2007/2008 – 13th
* 2006/2007 – 15th
* 2003/2004 – 16th (relegated)
* 2001/2002 – 17th (relegated)
* 1999/2000 – 17th (relegated)
* 1998/1999 – 14th
* 1997/1998 – 15th
* 1996/1997 – 14th

## Club officials/Technical team

* Chairman: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Patrick Sokhela**
* Managing director: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Graham O'Connor**
* General manager: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Peter O'Connor**
* Team manager: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Japhet Zwane**
* Coach: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Cavin Johnson**
* Assistant coach: File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg **Prince Matore**
* Goalkeeper coach: File:Flag of Zambia.svg **Davis Phiri**
* Head of youth development: File:Flag of South Africa.svg **Steve Bezuidenhout**

## First team squad

*As of 28 JULY 2017.*
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

### Foreigners

In the RSAn PSL, only five non-RSAn nationals can be registered. Foreign players who have acquired permanent residency can be registered as locals. NAMns born before 1990 can be registered as RSAns.

* File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Ovidy Karuru
* Template:Country data GHA Samuel Darpoh
* Template:Country data TOG Sadate Ouro-Akoriko
* File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Butholezwe Ncube
* File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Stephen Mukatuka
* File:Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Energy Murambadoro

## Shirt sponsor & kit manufacturer

* Shirt sponsor: SPAR
* Kit manufacturer: Kappa

## References

1. ↑ http://kwese.espn.com/football/south-african-premiership/story/3174902/null

## External links

* Official website
* Premier Soccer League

Template:Premier Soccer League teamlist