Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, home to Kenyan international Anthony Akumu, have officially appointed Arthur Jabulani Zwane as the senior team’s head coach on a three-year deal, effective immediately.Following the sacking of Englishman Stuart Baxter back in April 2022, the Soweto born head coach, who was Baxter’s assistant, was once again entrusted with seeing out the 2021/2022 Premier Soccer League season in the last seven games on a temporary head coach basis.On Thursday afternoon, the Amakhosi made it official that the Bafana Bafana international would remain at the helm on a three year contract.“We would like to take this opportunity and congratulate coach Arthur Zwane for this big appointment. The plan we have been working on for many years of appointing Arthur as our Head Coach has come to fruition. After seeing his passion for the game and his willingness to learn, we have been looking to bring him through to lead the senior when the time is right and we believe that time is now,”It’s Official! Introducing the new Kaizer Chiefs Head Coach – Arthur Zwane!Kaizer Chiefs have officially appointed Arthur Jabulani Zwane as the senior team’s head coach on a three-year deal, effective immediately. #CoachArthur #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/trJ5El2rzQ— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 26, 2022 “We are also grateful that he has been patient and continued to work hard to advance his coaching skills and abilities by educating himself, which is key in the modern game,” club chairman Kaizer Motaung said following the announcement.Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. revealed that one of the reasons that led to appointing Zwane on a permanent basis was his understanding of the culture of the club where he has served as a player before transitioning into coaching.He played for Kaizer Chiefs from 2000-2010 before hanging up his boots. During that time, he made 252 appearances for the Glamour Boys, finding the back of the net 32 times.“One of the main reasons the Club decided to appoint Coach Arthur Zwane is his deep understanding of the Kaizer Chiefs playing philosophy and his incredible work ethic. His innovative and modern approach to the game has made him the ideal candidate to drive this unique project into the future,” Motaung Jr. stated.It’s Official! Head Coach Zwane will be assisted by Dillon Sheppard, who joined Chiefs in 2020 as assistant coach. #CoachArthur #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/m1OWYjr88Z— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 26, 2022 Zwane became an assistant to Vladimir Vermezovic at Kaizer Chiefs in 2010 after retiring and worked with the first team until May 2012, maintaining his role under Doctor Khumalo and Ace Khuse after they replaced the departing Vermezovic late in the season.He then began working with the Chiefs Youth Academy Development programme in 2012, holding posts with the U13, U17 and U19 teams for a period of four seasons before moving up to coach the Club’s Reserve Team.Aye! Aye! Captain Brenda Angeshi sailing into dizzying depthsZwane, who has studied for his coaching badges and obtained a UEFA B Licence Coaching Badge, as well as CAF A and B Licence Coaching Badges, also has international coaching experience under his belt when he was called up as an assistant coach for Bafana Bafana in 2020 and 2021, working with Molefi Ntseki, who is now Kaizer Chiefs’ Head of Technical and Development.Coach Zwane will be assisted by Dillon Sheppard, who joined Chiefs in 2020 as assistant coach.
