Ex-Polokwane City FC player Joseph Mhlongo has shared how Orlando Pirates legend Jerry Sikhosana has influenced his decision to pursue a career in coaching.
Mhlongo recently announced his retirement from professional football to become a coach, using his experience as a player.
At 34, Mhlongo hangs up his boots after playing for clubs such as Roses United, FC Cape Town, Black Leopards, Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows.
He last played professionally at Motsepe Foundation Championship side Leruma United this season. Since then, Mhlongo has taken up the role of head coach at SAFA Gauteng ABC Motsepe League side Tembisa Hollywood Thunder. The club is owned by Pirates legend Sikhosana.
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“I played for him growing up. So I know he is a coach that wants to achieve things,” Mhlongo told FARPost in an interview, referring to his relationship with Sikhosana.
“So we have always maintained a relationship. That’s why every time I didn’t have a team, I would go and train with him. So we have always had that relationship. That’s why it was easier for him to say; ‘Come to my team, and we will see what to do’,” he added.
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“He is part of the coaches that have helped me that I learnt a lot from. So he has had a lot of influence on me taking up coaching as a career.
“He has always been a father figure for me growing up in football. Hence, it was easy for me to train at his club because he has always been there for me and we have always been in communication. So I took a lot from him in terms of coaching as well.”
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