AmaZulu and Benni McCarthy Part Ways, Usuthu Chairman Sandile Zungu Confirms That the Club Needed a Change

• AmaZulu have let go of Benni McCarthy as head coach of the KwaZulu-Natal based with immediate effect
• Benni McCarthy had a brilliant first season at AmaZulu but the side has struggled for form during this season
• AmaZulu Chairman, Sandile Zungu, said that it was clear that the side needed an immediate change

Benni McCarthy is no longer the coach of AmaZulu Football Club.

AmaZulu confirmed earlier today that they had parted ways with the 44-year-old, but that the decision was an amicable one.

Benni joined the KwaZulu-Natal based side in December 2020 and led them to second spot in the DStv Premiership. When he joined the club, they were languishing in 13th, iDiski Times reported. Benni also led the team to their first CAF Champions League campaign.

This season has been a different story, though, as AmaZulu have drawn 14 games and sit in ninth position. The record for most draws in a season is 20 and belongs to Swallows FC.

Mozambique's national football team players, coach, world rankings and nickname

Football

In explaining why the club let go of McCarthy, Chairman Sandile Zungu explained that the Usuthu needed change, KickOff reported.

"That change had to happen now and hence we decided to part ways with immediate effect. The team has the players who we are absolutely sure can compete to finish in the top four at the end of this season.

"We have the technical team who can marshall the forces for the next seven league games, and we will be out looking for a permanent replacement for Benni McCarthy," Zungu said.

Just yesterday Benni said that he was not a ‘one season wonder’ as he received criticism for AmaZulu’s poor season. Fans also compared his time at AmaZulu with his previous coaching experiences where he only achieved success during his first season with the clubs.

Benni also blamed the players’ mentality for the poor results, The South African reported.

The Journey of Burundi's national football team amidst years of chaos and turmoil

Football

Amazulu coach Benni Mccarthy dismisses second season blues curse, says local players have 'mentality' problem

Amazulu coach, Benni McCarthy, is unbothered by seemingly fickle claims that he is a 'one-season wonder' wherever he coaches, Sports Brief reported.

Usuthu is experiencing second-season blues after a sensational first one when McCarthy first took over in late 2020. Something similar happened to him at Cape Town City, where he arrived in 2018 by immediately delivering an MTN8 title, before tailing off in the second season.

According to Soccer Laduma, this has put a 'one-season wonder' tag on the former Bafana Bafana striker. Instead, McCarthy attributed the inconsistency to local footballers resting on their laurels after impressing at the first time of asking, leading to complacency.