Zimbabwe role honed Antipas

No pressure for AmaZulu coach

AmaZulu coach Joey Antipas hopes his experience coaching the Zimbabwean national team proves useful in his first season in the “demanding” Absa Premiership.

The Premier Soccer League approved AmaZulu’s deal to buy Thanda Royal Zulu’s status two weeks ago.

Antipas is confident his first season in the Premiership will be a success, citing the experience he gained while coaching the Zimbabwean national team as vital.

“I am familiar with coaching at the highest level. I am not feeling any pressure but I do not want to get carried away because it will not be easy. I am positive that the team will do well because we have good players who are committed to help the club,” Antipas told Sowetan.

“The Premiership is very demanding and competitive but I think I am experienced enough to cope with that. The experience of coaching the national team is very valuable and I think it will help me do well in my first season in the premier division,” added the former Chicken Inn mentor.

Preparing for life in the top flight, Usuthu have signed six players so far and Antipas feels they are not yet done.

The Durban-based club has re-signed Togolese international Sadat Ouro-Akoriko from Saudi Arabian club Al Faisaly alongside Siyethemba Mnguni from Mbombela United and Thanda players Jabulani Ncobeni, Sduduzo Dlamini, Ayabulela Konqobe and Mhlengi Cele.

“I am happy with our new signings but I think we must continue to strengthen the squad so that we will have depth in our squad.

“We will not just sign players because they are available but we will recruit only players we need,” said the Zimbabwean.