AmaZulu striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya has apologised to Orlando Pirates midfielder Sihle Nduli after a nasty challenge left the midfielder injured during their Betway Premiership clash in Durban.
Ngwenya stepped on Nduli’s right ankle while attempting to win possession, with the Pirates midfielder unable to continue and subsequently stretchered off the pitch.
The incident came during an otherwise impressive run of form for the Zimbabwean forward, who scored his fourth goal of the season in just three matches to help AmaZulu secure a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates.
However, despite Ngwenya’s goalscoring exploits, AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane has made it clear that finding the back of the net will not be enough to guarantee the striker a regular place in his team.
Speaking after the match, Zwane criticised Ngwenya’s decision-making and movement, particularly after the incident involving Nduli.
“Firstly, we regained possession. And now, as an offensive player, you need to pass and make a forward movement,” Zwane said.
“He passes a two-metre pass and then he stands. Then what must Athene do with the ball? When you are an offensive player, you think about going forward. You pass and go because you want to return the pass.”
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Zwane stressed that he expects more from Ngwenya away from the ball, insisting that his attacking responsibilities extend beyond scoring goals.
“But now if you become lazy, then I have a problem with you. So I was telling him, listen, I don’t deal with lazy players,” the coach added.
“Yes, you can score for us, but if you don’t work off the ball and you don’t work for us to create goal-scoring opportunities, it’s not going to work.”
Zwane nevertheless acknowledged the potential of the Zimbabwean striker, describing him as a player capable of becoming a prolific goalscorer in the Premier Soccer League.
“In this league, PSL, you need sharpshooters, and he’s got the potential to do that. But now sometimes he becomes a lazy thinker,” he said.
Ngwenya has since shown a different side away from the criticism, publicly apologising to Nduli and making it clear that the challenge was not intentional.
“I’m sorry, brother, for what happened. I didn’t do it intentionally. I hope you find solace in your heart to forgive me,” Ngwenya wrote on social media.
The apology comes as the striker finds himself at the centre of both positive and negative attention, with his goals making him an important attacking weapon for AmaZulu, while Zwane’s criticism highlights the areas he believes must improve.
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