Cape Town - AmaZulu have received a welcome boost with the news that Ayanda Dlamini intends to stay and help the club win promotion back to the Premiership.
Usuthu ended their eight-year stay in the top flight when they were relegated to the National First Division last weekend following a 2-1 defeat to Maritzburg United on the final day of the season.
Dlamini has spent his entire career with the Durban outfit, but their relegation to the second tier of South African football would have cast doubt on his future at the club.
However, any fears they had of the 30-year-old striker leaving during the off-season have been eased after his agent, Jazzman Mahlakgane, revealed that Dlamini has pledged his loyalty to Steve Barker's side.
"Ayanda is staying with the club. That's definite," Mahlakgane told Soccer Laduma.
"The coach wants him. The player himself expressed the interest in staying.
"For me that was profound of him to say that he wants to stay with the club and go down with them. The club has got plans for Ayanda beyond football."