Well-travelled mentor Owen Da Gama has shared his candid prediction about former Bafana Bafana international Reneilwe Letsholonyane’s coaching career following the latter’s appointment as Matebele FC gaffer.
The move marks Letsholonyane’s first professional coaching role, with the former Chiefs midfielder taking charge of the Botswana side at the beginning of this month.
Letsholonyane oversaw his first match as Matebele head coach when they faced Black Lions FC in their league encounter on Saturday.
The match between the two teams in the Botswana Premier League was held at Royal Aria Stadium. Lions, guided by Letsholonyane’s compatriot Da Gama, emerged triumphant with a 1-0 win.
Xolani Cossa, who is on loan at Lions from Kaizer Chiefs, scored a spectacular goal that secured Da Gama’s first win of the campaign.
WHAT OWEN DA GAMA ANTICIPATES ABOUT RENEILWE LETSHOLONYANE’S COACHING CAREER
Da Gama stated that Letsholonyane will become one of the great coaches as he possesses all the qualities to be an elite coach.
‘Yeye’ holds a CAF A coaching licence, and previously coached the AmaZulu FC reserve side and was involved in the technical set-ups of the South African Under-20 and Bafana Bafana – CHAN squads.
To top it off, the duo exchanged gifts as Letsholonyane made his debut as head coach against the Lions on Saturday, 13 September 2025.
“I would like to congratulate Yeye on his appointment as head coach of Matebele FC. I wish him all the best,” said Da Gama.
“Yeye, I know he is going to be a great coach, and he has all the credentials of a top coach.”
The relationship between the two coaches runs deep, as Da Gama previously mentored Letsholonyane during his playing days at Highlands Park FC and TS Galaxy.
Meanwhile, Siphiwe Tshabalala was also in attendance to show his support for his long-time friend and former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana teammate. This isn’t the first time he has been there for Letsholonyane; Tshabalala was also present when ‘Yeye’ was first unveiled as the new head coach of Matebele FC.
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