sportskeeda
AmaZulu’s head coach Arthur Zwane announced the signing of Thabiso Kutumela to bolster their attacking options, particularly as Elmo Kambindu has been struggling with a hamstring injury since the end of last season.
Kambindu, a former forward for Chippa United, has not taken to the field this season, raising concerns within the club. On Monday, he was seen jogging along the sidelines at Princess Magogo Stadium accompanied by Tebogo Mashigo.
With their attacking lineup impacted, AmaZulu’s management opted to recruit Kutumela, who was a free agent following his departure from Richards Bay at the season’s close.
The striker has previously worn the jerseys of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, and he demonstrated his skills during the recent CHAN tournament in East Africa, netting three goals in four appearances for Bafana Bafana under Molefi Ntseki.
Zwane Comments on Kambindu’s Injury
“Kambindu has unfortunately been out due to injury,” Zwane stated. “He faced a muscle strain towards the end of last season. We hoped he would be prepared for our last match against Orlando Pirates; we made an effort since he was eager to play.”
Zwane continued, “After considerable physical and mental rehabilitation, he had to withdraw just two days before the match. Consequently, we decided to pull back as his hamstring issue persists. I genuinely believe that had he been available, we might have been looking at different results regarding some of the scoring chances we created, but everything unfolds for a reason.”
Moreover, the absence of striker Ryan Moon, who also missed Monday’s training session, adds to Zwane’s anxiety as they prepare to clash with Stellenbosch FC at Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday.
Reasons for Signing Kutumela
Zwane elaborated on the rationale for bringing in Kutumela, emphasizing his experience and recent performances. “This is precisely why we signed Kutumela, given his experience and impressive showings at CHAN,” Zwane stated. “His performances were encouraging and convincing. He has a talent for scoring goals and is a skilled finisher.”
“Moreover, he can handle pressure and adapt quickly,” Zwane noted. “This is why we were eager to bring him on board. We were in urgent need of someone who could step in and make an immediate impact. We are delighted to have him and are confident he will add significant value to our team.”
The 32-year-old Kutumela has an impressive record of 40 goals and 14 assists in 185 PSL matches.
