Kennedy Mweene: ‘I accepted my fate a year ago’
"You cannot play football forever."
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene says he is embracing his transition from player to management with both hands after making his debut as an apprentice over the weekend.
Mweene began the next phase of his footballing career to coaching as part of the Brazilians bench last Saturday during Sundowns’ 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates in a DStv Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium.
The 39-year-old ex-Chipolopolo Zambia number and 2012 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] champion is preparing for life in the dugout as an understudy in Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena’s goalkeeper trainers department.
Mweene was on the bench as an interim goalkeeper coach against Pirates as coach Wendell Robinson was shown a red card in the Sekhukhune United game.
Mokwena revealed that Mweene is now doubling up as a player and an assistant goalkeeper coach.
“Saturday was something which was a good feeling,” Mweene told FARPost.
KENNEDY MWEENE HINTS AT RETIREMENT
“I accepted it [retirement] about a year ago, and that is how I started doing my coaching badges, but there is a lot to do.
“I hope everything goes well. I am just excited because sometimes the transition from player to coach is very tough.”
Mweene has been at Sundowns since 2013 when he joined them from Free State Stars. He had also been a loyal servant for seven years since Stars signed him from Zambian club Kitwe United in 2005.
The goalkeeper has won seven Premiership titles with Sundowns, plus as many domestic cup competition honours.
In Africa, Mweene has a winner’s medal in the 2016 CAF Champions League and 2017 CAF Super Cup.
Mweene, who made his senior national team debut in 2004, traces his last Chipolopolo call-up to the 2021 COSAFA Cup where Zambia made a group stage exit at Nelson Mandela Bay.
MWEENE TO CONTINUE TO ADD VALUE AT SUNDOWNS
“As a human being and as a professional soccer player the first thing that comes to your head is acceptance and that considering your age at 38, you cannot play football forever,” Mweene said.
“I am just happy that Sundowns has seen my contribution to the club since I arrived. I am very happy to be now part of the technical staff.”
At the club, Mweene has played in over 115 games in all competitions, keeping 56 clean sheets and conceding 89 goals.
He lost his number spot to Dennis Onyango several years ago, before falling down the pecking order following the arrival of Ronwen Williams at the beginning of this season.
RELATED STORY: Rulani Mokwena reveals new role for Kennedy Mweene at Sundowns