‘Change needed to happen now!’ – AmaZulu president shares reason for shock Benni exit | Sport

Benni McCarthy and Sandile Zungu (Gallo Images)

• Benni McCarthy has departed AmaZulu after taking charge of 60 official matches.
• The former Bafana Bafana striker has experienced a roller coaster 2021/22 campaign.
• Club owner reveals that the search is already in progress for the McCarthy’s successor.

AmaZulu president
Sandile Zungu has broken his silence following the shock departure of head
coach Benni McCarthy.

On Friday morning,
rumours swirled that AmaZulu surprising have taken the option to part ways with
the 44-year-old as recent results have not gone the way for the former Bafana
Bafana striker.

Oddly, McCarthy still
trained the players on the day, according to reports.

But, the inevitable
arrived as AmaZulu confirmed the news in the afternoon as both parties “mutually” agreed to terminate their “relationship”.

McCarthy, the all-time
leading Bafana Bafana goal-scorer, took over as mentor in December 2020, less
than two months after Zungu claimed acquisition of the club.

The UEFA Champions
League winner guided Usuthu to a surprising second-place finish in the 2020/21
Premiership campaign, securing their first taste of CAF Champions League
football.

But the 2021/22 season
has been a roller-coaster for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit as they are currently
placed ninth on the league table, amassing 14 draws, five victories and five
defeats. 

“It is true that with
effect from today, Benni McCarthy and AmaZulu Football Club parted ways,” Zungu
said.

“We parted ways on an
amicable basis. It is known the role Benni played in taking AmaZulu from above
relegation zone to finishing top two last season – and effectively competing in
the CAF Champions League, including the group stages.

“It’s a highly
commendable effort and at AmaZulu, we are very grateful. And on that basis wish
Benni the best in his future endeavours. But it is quite clear that the team
needed change and that change needed to happen now, hence we decided to part
ways with immediate effect.”

Zungu added: “We have a technical team who
can marshal the forces for the next seven league games, and we’ll be out
looking for a permanent replacement for Benni.

“The search has started in earnest, and we
are absolutely sure that we’ll have something really great to take AmaZulu to
greater heights.”