Following last week’s announcement of coach Gavin Hunt, Kaizer Chiefs’ management have appointed Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard as his assistants.
The duo joins the technical team this week, with Arthur returning to the first team squad after having been there from 2010 to 2012.
Before going into coaching, Zwane played for Kaizer Chiefs between 2000 and 2010 making 252 appearances in official matches. As a winger ‘10111’ managed to score 32 goals and winning no less than 12 trophies with the Glamour Boys.
Until recently, he coached the Reserve team that plays in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC).
Over the last few seasons, Zwane has managed to help identify, coach and nurture players such as Bruce Bvuma, Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Siyabonga Ngezana, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Happy Mashiane, Wiseman Meyiwa, Njabulo Blom, Bontle Molefe, Keletso Sifama, Given Thibedi, Itumeleng Shopane, Ayanda Rorwana and Sizwe Twala among the many young players who are now part of the senior team. Thibedi, Shopane, Rorwana and Twala were moved to Moroka Swallows last season and played an instrumental role in helping The Birds gain promotion to the Premiership.
Zwane played nine times for the national team and has been asked by Molefi Ntseki to be his assistant for international matches since his appointment as the Bafana Bafana coach.
Sheppard was Hunt’s assistant at the now defunct Bidvest Wits. He joined the coaching ranks after hanging up his boots in 2017 when the team won its first League trophy. Prior to that, he played for several clubs in the PSL. He also played in Russia and Greece.
He’s a product of the School of Excellence and played topflight football for 20 years – starting back in 1997 with Seven Stars where he was coached by Hunt.
He has represented South Africa at the U-17, U-19, U-23 and the senior national team level.
The two assistant coaches will sit on the bench with Hunt, but will also work with the various youth side coaches to ensure synergy between the first team squad and Chiefs’ Youth Development Academy structures, particularly the MDC.
“We believe we have put a solid technical team together and we will give them all the necessary support they require,” says Chairman Kaizer Motaung. “The wealth of experience among the three gentlemen is what we need to ensure we compete and build a strong team.
“The fact that Arthur and Dillon will concurrently work with the senior team as well as with our Reserve side means that the transition for the young players to the first team squad will be easier. We have an abundance of talent. However, they will need nurturing while we also need to focus on winning. Both assistant coaches have youth football experience and we believe they will continue to share their knowledge with our other youth coaches and players.”
We are looking forward to a bright future with Zwane and Sheppard.
It’s official! Zwane and Sheppard named as assistant coaches
We would like to announce the appointment of Arthur Zwane and Dillon Sheppard as Gavin Hunt’s assistants.
More news on the website soon!#Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/y2K60IfwPB
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 21, 2020
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