After losing their first three league games and then even their last 16 Carling Knockout match (to Stellenbosch FC), AmaZulu FC have identified their defence as an important area to improve on.
Siya sources close to the club have indicated that part of the solution is for the club to promote one of their DDC youngsters to strengthen their backline.
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The insider stated that 17-year-old Thandolwethu Hlophe is the defender they are looking at to bolster their squad and work alongside experienced players.
"Most of the defenders the team have now are older and experienced but they just need younger defenders as backups in other games. You know Thando (Hlophe) was the captain of the DDC at the start of the season when coach Kanu (Vilakazi) was there and he knows him better and him moving to the senior team won't be difficult because the coach knows him. What they are working on now is the integration into the senior team for him. And it is supposed to be soon according to what the technical team wants," the Siya source stated.
Vilakazi and Arthur Zwane were recently appointed co-coaches of AmaZulu FC after the club parted ways with Pablo Franco Martin.
A second source stated that Usuthu are also looking at other departments to improve on in the January transfer window to bolster their squad.
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"They are looking at fighting for the top eight finish this season and to do that they need a well-balanced squad. You saw they signed Richard Ofori, they are set to promote defender Thandolwethu Hlophe and then look at other departments like midfield to strengthen the squad in January. The management and technical team are working together on that as part of improving results," the second source stated.
Usuthu's next encounter is against an in-form Orlando Pirates side in the Betway Premiership on Friday night at Orlando Stadium.
From here they aim to turn their season around, and the promotion of Hlophe to the senior team could provide the defensive cover they need for the rest of the campaign.
Soccer Laduma contacted AmaZulu for comment but the club had not responded by the time this report was published.
