AMAZULU's repairman, Fani Madida, has put his hand up as a candidate for the coaching job vacated by Roger Palmgren.

Usuthu are on a frantic search for a new coach after letting go of the Swede, following the 1-0 loss at home to Free State Stars, their seventh defeat in a horrid season so far.

Madida, pictured, has over the past few years as assistant coach, had to pick up the pieces on a temporary basis after the departures of Neil Tovey, Manqoba Mngqithi and now Palmgren.

The former Kaizer Chiefs marksman got straight down to business at training yesterday, immediately changing routines and creating multiple game-day scenarios. He said there was no better time to announce his ambition to hold the job of head coach than now.

"At my age I think I'm at a ripe time to take (on) whatever challenges come my way. I can withstand those challenges because I started coaching long before some of the young coaches that are coaching at the moment in South Africa," Madida said.

"It will be up to the directors to decide but the players are very comfortable with me, especially with the (introduction of) much more game-related drills at training, to which they've responded well. They know what I can do and they know I have a lot of confidence in them."

Madida was temporarily in charge when Usuthu recorded their first win of the season, a 2-1 victory over Moroka Swallows in September when Palmgren had gone home to bury his mother.

The first thing the 45-year-old wants to do is hone the team's blunt attacking play. To do that, he said he would have to impart his knowledge as a former prolific striker to players who have lacked composure in front of goal this season.

Usuthu travel to Black Leopards next week having scored just five goals in 12 games and conceded 18.

"It's a pity that I cannot do things for them, I so wish I could. They create situations to go forward and score but at times they let themselves down by not finishing. We need to work more on their finishing and attacking play."