AmaZulu F.C.

Did You Know?

• The club trains and has its administrative offices at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
• The technical team's offices are based inside Prime Human Performance Institute.
• The club also uses the performance facilities at Prime.

History

AmaZulu was formed by Zulu migrant workers in 1932 and originally named Zulu Royal Conquerors. The club was introduced to Zulu king Solomon, who changed the name to Zulu Royals and the colours to royal blue and white, and added a shield to the logo. Prince Bayisikili was initially placed as team guardian at eMsizini, later replaced by Prince Sithela, with headquarters at the eMbelebeleni Royal Kraal; the colours later changed to bottle green and white. On the day of King Bhekizulu's funeral in 1968, the team played a Cup game against SAPPI Homestars at eMandeni, losing 4–2. The club was supposed to escort the King's coffin, but Mr. Shezi, Mr. Nsele, and Mr. Magwaza escorted it wearing the team's uniform. An argument broke out among supporters, with Prince Sithela criticizing the decision to play on the funeral day. Mr. Gideon Sibiya and Mr. Ntuli then moved the club from eMbelebeleni to eWema, and it was no longer recognized at the Royal Kraal. At the end of 1970, remaining committee members Mr. Mkhize and Mr. Ralph Mabaso rebuilt the team from scratch, recruited players, acquired a kit, and appointed Mr. Bethuel Masondo as team manager. The club was registered as Zulu Royals United, with Masondo as sole director, and returned to eMbelebeleni Royal Kraal as headquarters. In 1971, African Wanderers faced problems in the National Professional League (NPSL), leading the NPSL to suspend them and request a replacement team from the Kwa-Zulu Natal Football Association, which recommended Union Jacks, Durban City All Black, Zulu Royals United, or Young Dribblers.

Tertiary Institution Cooperation

AmaZulu's High-Performance Manager, Joshua Smith, helped establish an externship program with the University of KwaZulu-Natal Biokinetics, Sports and Leisure Science department in 2019. Biokinetics and exercise science honours students assist with youth training sessions and physical testing. The link entered its fourth year in 2022. On 15 December 2020, Smith announced a formal link with the International Soccer Science and Performance Federation (ISSPF), which became the team's official educational partner.