Nomadic Morgan Mammila has had a very unusual career! This is a man who, after all, doubled up as a police officer and taxi operator at some point before turning to football.
Interestingly, just a kilometre from the village he comes from – in Ga-Mampa – Mammila has also played scout, unearthing a raw Evidence Makgopa.
From police officer-cum-taxi operator to football coach
An emotional Mammila, who has undoubtedly come full circle in the game, dedicated Saturday’s stunning 2-1 away victory over Kaizer Chiefs to his grandmother.
The Chippa United coach said his grandmother played a huge role in what he is today. He has worn many hats in that period, from taxi operator and policeman to football administrator.
He has also worked in different football administrative positions at Baroka and Royal Eagles. And a brief stint at All Stars before turning his hand to coaching, with his debut DStv Premiership stint coming at Chippa, where he is unbeaten in his first three games at the helm.
They include wins over AmaZulu and Marumo Gallants, while Amakhosi became his third victim over the weekend at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“When I was a Police officer in Johannesburg, I bought the status of a Castle League club Matlope United,” emotional Mammila told the media.
“I was a taxi driver, too, and my small salary as a police officer went to this team. My grandmother was looking after the team and taxi business. She was also supportive of me.”
From shacks
Matlope’s success in the Castle League began Mammila’s football journey. Mammila resigned as a government employee to focus on his dream after meeting Baroka chairman Khurishi Mphahlele.
“That is when the Baroka chairman saw me and decided to hire me. He said I was too big for the Castle League and made me leave my government job to focus on football,” Mammila said.
“My grandmother always encouraged me, believed in me, and the rest is history.” Of course, some still doubt his coaching abilities. His boss Chippa Mpengesi is undoubtedly not one of them.
“I always say look at my story; I come from shacks, working as a security but now, I run businesses,” Mpengesi recently said when explaining his decision.
“There were people who looked down on me, so I do not do that; I do not judge you by your education or background. I focus on talent and passion; we must give our people chances.
“I am not sure why people say I disrespected the league, I gave people with high qualifications a chance, the likes of Ernst Middendorp and Gavin Hunt, but when it comes to the field, results are not there.
“I believe in our people, and the club will assist Morgan in improving his education.”
The New Manager Bounce
Perhaps that belief from his chairman gives Mammila the arrogance to ignore his critics. Many have questioned his credentials, saying the three wins on the trot “The New Manager Bounce”.
“In football, there’s a lot of opinions, and it’s part of the game. Those people do not know my background.
“I’m not here to prove a point to anyone. I’ve won leagues in different divisions. What I have, most coaches don’t have.”
“I have won Telkom Knockout too. If you can ask many coaches in the PSL what they have, they do not have what I’ve achieved.
“Ask them if they ever promoted a club in the Castle League, ABC Motsepe League and NFD, the answer is no, but if you ask me, I’m ticking all the boxes.”
He has vowed that he will function in any position the chairman requires him to take up, as long as it is football.
“One thing about me, I’m very flexible. I can be a scout, work in the office and can coach. Wherever the chairman sends me, I will go.”
He hopes to extend his unbeaten record this Tuesday when seventh-placed Chippa play Sekhukhune United at Chatsworth Stadium.
Babina Noko are in 13th place. That date will be followed by matches against Cape Town City and Richards Bay before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 break.
