Golden Arrows' former coach, Shaun Bartlett, worked with Siyanda Zwane at the KwaZulu-Natal-based team during the 2013/14 Absa Premiership season. In this Supporters Club interview with Soccer Laduma, Bartlett discusses the now Mamelodi Sundowns defender as well as the players' general situation at Chloorkop.
Soccer Laduma: Hi Shaun. We interviewed Siyanda Zwane in this week's edition of Soccer Laduma. He described you as a father figure to all the players. He stated that you are one of the greatest coaches he has ever worked in his football career. What was it like working with him during his time at Golden Arrows?
Shaun Bartlett: Oh, thanks to him for that compliment. To be honest, it was great working with a player of his calibre. He is one of the most disciplined players I've ever come across. His attitude, whether at training or in game situations, was always the same. He always gave more that 100 percent in order for the team to do well and get results. He is not the kind of player you always need to push and he is very passionate about his job. He is the kind of player who is able to lift his teammates when the chips are down. To me, his will to win when in the field is a true reflection of what a professional should be like. He does a lot of work outside his training with the team in order to get better. Most players who have played with him can attest to the fact that he is one of the hardest working players.
SL: Many people were doubtful about his move to Mamelodi Sundowns, saying his career would stagnant at the Tshwane-based outfit. What is your impression of the player since he moved to Chloorkop?
SB: Unfortunately that is the stigma associated with Sundowns, but when it comes to individual attitude, that is what Siyanda has. He has a never-say-die attitude. If you watch him play, he doesn't settle for second-best. He always wants to be the best and be first in everything he does. For me, there was never any doubt that he will be a success at Sundowns. Despite his limited game-time in the first round of last season, it was always a matter of getting his opportunity and when it came, he took it with both hands.
SL: Because of the injury he sustained and the red card he received in a match against Chiefs, he missed Sundowns' last few games of the season including the Nedbank Cup final against Aax Cape Town, and in his absence Asavela Mbekile came in the right back position and filled the void with distinction. Do you see Zwane facing stiff competition for the right back position in the team this up-coming season?
SB: Having worked with him at Arrows, I know him as a player who enjoys competition hence he grabbed his opportunity with both hands when Pitso gave him a chance last season. He knew it wasn't going to be easy because of stiff competition in the team. When he is faced with adversity and challenges, it sometimes gets the best out of him. I think this coming season will be no different for Siyanda Zwane. He knows that no player owns a position in a team. He knows every position has two or three players and he's got to always be in top form if he wants to be in the starting eleven.
SL: Judging him on his performances last season, many football pundits believe that he is the right candidate for the number two position at Sundowns. What is your take on that?
SB: I think it is always up to the player himself. He can only be in that starting eleven if he is consistent. He needs to want to play and win games every time he goes out there. I agree with those who believe that Siyanda should be in the starting eleven, but it is for the coaches at Sundowns to decide. Siyanda's biggest challenge in the new season is to make sure that he makes it difficult for the coach to leave him out of the team.
SL: In the interview we conducted with him, he expressed his intentions to wear the Bafana Bafana jersey and add to the one cap he has under his belt. Looking at his age (30), do you think he still stands a chance of being part of Bafana Bafana in future?
SB: I think in South Africa we put that label on players that, when they reach the age of 30, they are too old, however in the current game we've seen some players playing beyond the age of 35. It all depends on how you look after yourself physically and if you are mentally strong in the game as well. I think Siyanda's qualities can see him still being in the game for another six to eight years. I don't think age should be a problem. If a player is good enough quality-wise, then he should be in the national team.
SL: Thank you very much for your time, Shaun, and all the best.
SB: Thank you and you are always welcome.
