Zimbabwean striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya says he must change his approach after becoming a greater focus for opposition defences following his outstanding start to the 2026/27 season.
The AmaZulu forward has scored 10 goals in 10 matches for Usuthu, establishing himself as a central figure in the club’s attack. But Ngwenya believes opponents are now devoting more attention to stopping him and limiting his influence.
“Everyone is preparing for me but it’s gonna give others a chance to score because everyone is coming for me,” he told SABC Sport.
Ngwenya said the increased scrutiny meant he could no longer rely solely on the methods that helped him score so regularly at the beginning of the campaign.
“It’s a bit demanding now because I have to find another way to penetrate because everyone is looking for how I’m scoring, so I must find another way to score,” he added.
The striker’s comments reflect the challenge that can follow a prolific run in front of goal. As opponents become more familiar with his movement and finishing, he is likely to face tighter marking and less space in which to operate.
Ngwenya also acknowledged that defenders concentrating on him could open opportunities for his AmaZulu team-mates. However, Usuthu will need to take advantage of those openings consistently if opponents continue to build their defensive plans around containing the Zimbabwean.
AmaZulu coach Arthur Zwane has also identified areas of Ngwenya’s game that require improvement.
Ngwenya failed to score as AmaZulu secured a 1-0 victory over Kruger United in the Carling Knockout at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. Hendrick Ekstein’s penalty was enough to send Usuthu into the quarter-finals, while Ngwenya was unable to convert his chances.
Zwane said Ngwenya tends to be more effective when he scores early, and highlighted two opportunities the striker missed against Kruger United. The coach also questioned his reactions in those moments and advised him on how to deal with defenders approaching from the right.
“You can’t push the ball and expose your ball to the right when the defender is coming from the right side. Put it to your left and put your body across,” Zwane explained.
That advice underlines the importance of Ngwenya making better decisions under pressure, particularly now that rival teams are paying closer attention to his movements.
His ability to vary his attacking play, respond to closer marking and remain composed in front of goal will be crucial if he is to sustain his remarkable scoring form and help AmaZulu remain competitive throughout the campaign.
