Joey ' Mafero' Antipas might be coaching in the South African Absa premiership next season should the negotiations between AmaZulu and Royal Thanda Zulu bear fruit.

Antipas' AmaZulu failed to gain promotion in his first season in charge, finishing the season on fifth position but the club's owners are bidding to buy the franchise of National First Division winners Royal Thanda Zulu. 

Antipas who is back in the country for the off season break told SportsZone that negotiations between the two clubs are almost complete. 

“The management has decided to venture into a franchise because they feel that AmaZulu are too big a team to play in the National First Division. As I speak now negotiations are about ninety percent done. I don't want to talk much about what's happening there but definitely I know that in the new season AmaZulu will be a force to reckon with," said Antipas.

A deal might be struck this week with reports from South Africa saying both clubs from KZN have agreed in principle to have AmaZulu buying the Royal Thanda Zulu franchise. 

Royal Thanda Zulu chairman Pierre Delvau conceded to South African media that the club was considering selling its franchise.

This is not the first time that Usuthu have tried to fast track their return to the premiership. In 2015 AmaZulu tried to purchase the franchise of Mpumalanga Black Aces but was beaten to it by Cape Town City owned by businessman John Comitis.

AmaZulu who are home to four Zimbabwean players missed out on the play off after losing 1-0 FC Cape Town in their last match. 

Rejuvenated midfielder Ovidy Karuru who was recently called to the Warriors squad to face Liberia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers is at Usuthu along with Butholezwe Ncube, former CAPS United captain Stephen Makatuka and ex-Warriors goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro.

Antipas is assisted at the club by long time lieutenant Prince Matore.