Revered former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates striker Collins Mbesuma has shared insights into the art of coaching strikers.
The retired Zambian international made a name for himself in the SA football after joining the Soweto giants. This was in the 2004/05 season, as he went on to score 25 goals. He played a big role at Amakhosi as they won the league title.
The other clubs the 40-year-old played for in the SA top flight include Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Golden Arrows and Mpumalanga Black Aces. The former Chipolopolo forward, also known as ‘Ntofontofo’, had stints with now-defunct sides Moroka Swallows and Highlands Park FC.
In the Motsepe Foundation Championship, the former goal poacher played for the University of Pretoria and Pretoria Callies. After hanging his boots, the 40-year-old became a strikers’ coach. He began at Callies and moved on to Sekhukhune United and Venda FC.
WHAT COLLINS MBESUMA SAID ABOUT BEING A STRIKERS’ COACH
The former Chipolopolo striker says working as a strikers’ coach is a more complicated role as one needs to work with individuals as well as the entire squad. He added that one has to provide the coaches with all the necessary information they need.
“One thing people don’t know about being a strikers’ coach is that it’s a complicated job or role. You have to work with individuals [forwards] and also work with the whole group,” Mbesuma told FARPost.
“As a strikers’ coach, you have to make sure the forwards are always up to date in terms of their fitness, consistency and form. If the team is struggling to score goals, that’s on you because that’s your main job.
“Also you are involved in the team selection in terms of helping the coach to select the best striker for a certain game. For example, if you know your opponent has tall defenders, you would advise the coach to go for a striker that is ball playing and that has speed”.
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