‘It’s in my blood’: Professor Ngubane still up for coaching opportunities
The South African football great Mlungisi Professor Ngubane says his services are still fit for use as he’s seeking his way back to the dugout.
Ngubane’s last coaching gig was at Mbabane Highlanders in the Premier League of Eswatini between 2017 and 2018. He led the side to the cup final and fourth position at the end of the season.
The former AmaZulu FC dribbling wizard has been focusing on his academy for the past three years. However, he believes he still has a lot to offer at a high level.
Ngubane says coaching is untiring and feels it’s high time he makes a return to professional coaching.
PROFESSOR NGUBANE SEEKING COACHING OPPORTUNITIES
“When something is in your blood, you can’t just leave it like that,” said Ngubane in an interview with FARPost.
“If you fail, you run away, but me, I never failed. It’s just that I wanted to look after my Foundation and the Academy. For two seasons now, my Under 19 has been finishing the season as runners-up and Under 17 [is doing well].”
With the vast knowledge he has acquired over the years and his coaching qualifications, he believes he has sufficient tools to make things work.
Ngubane says he has God-given abilities to work with “whatever is available to create something out of nothing”.
‘I’M NOT USED TO FINISHING OUTSIDE TOP THREE’
“I’m not used to finishing out of the top three when I coach. There’s a lot I can bring…experience, and I have a CAF A License,” he added.
“I have coached all over and was the first coach to coach outside South Africa. I was coaching in Namibia during the 1990s. So, I’d be bringing a lot of experience and discipline.
“And another thing is, I always play to win. You can give me whatever you give me, and I can create something out of that nothing.
“I wouldn’t demand experienced players, and it’s not that I don’t like them. When they are there, it’s fine, but if they are not there, I will use what you have, make use of it and get results.
“I like teams that are at the bottom of the table. I like those kinds of challenges. I did it in Swaziland in my last coaching gig. I took [Mbabane] Highlanders when they were struggling, and we ended the season in position four, and we played the semi-final and the final.
“I have qualities and abilities to work with what you have. And there is the thing we call man-management and psychology. Those are my things. I was gifted, I didn’t go to school for it. They are from God.
“I wish someone could give me an opportunity to prove myself.”
He has previously mentored Maritzburg United, Black Leopards, Cape Town All-Stars, Chippa United, African Warriors and Thanda Royal Zulu. He also worked as a Technical Director at Golden Arrows and Royal Eagles.
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