Arthur Zwane predicts tough second round of 2025/26 season | OneFootball

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Zwane braced for challenging second round in 25/26

Photo: Arthur Zwane

AmaZulu FC head coach Arthur Zwane has predicted a tough second round of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign.

Usuthu suffered a narrows defeat to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their last league outings in Durban on Tuesday.

AmaZulu sit fifth on the log standings as they accumulated 30 points from 18 league outings, and are eight points off the summit of the table.

With games coming thick and fast, and teams fighting to meet their respective objectives, Zwane is braced for a challenging second round of the season.

“It's definitely going to be difficult for everyone, there are no easy games now. When you look at how we exerted ourselves tonight [Tuesday vs Sundowns], we deserved something. There's still going to be a lot of changes,” he said.

"There's going to be teams that are fighting to avoid relegation, there's going to be teams that want to be in the top eight, and teams that fancy their chances of competing, getting something for CAF spots.

"So, we still believe that we are in it. We're not going to give up now, we're still going to push, even though it's not going to be easy.

Ahead of their match against Stellenbosch FC at Danie Craven Stadium on Friday, the 52-year-old tactician highlighted Stellies' recent victory over Kaizer Chiefs as a testament to the looming tests.

“If Stellies can go away [to Kaizer Chiefs] and get maximum points, that alone tells you that it's going to be a very tough second round,” Zwane added.

"But I think we are equal to the task, I don't doubt our players when it comes to endurance. I think we are one of the fittest team in the league.