Kaizer Chiefs legend Tinashe Nengomasha has gone back to school as he enrolled for an International Programme in Sport Management at the Nelson Mandela University.
Nengomasha, who is currently team manager for Zimbabwean Premier League side Ngezi Platinum FC.
Recently the man nicknamed ‘The’ General stepped into a classroom in Gqeberha, for the first time in decades, to hone his management skills in a course offered by CIES International University Network in collaboration with FIFA.
“The last time I was in a classroom was in high school,” Nengomasha told FARPost. “So far, this course has been eye-opening. It’s helping me to understand the basics of football business. You learn a lot, and it will make us perform better while also understanding the roles we are supposed to deliver when it comes to club management.”
Nengomasha, the two-time PSL Player of the Season during his ten-year stay at Chiefs, counts several sports officials and personalities from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia among his classmates. They cover a wide range of topics such as marketing, strategic planning, change management, sports law, sponsorship, and media rights.
NENGOMASHA GOES BACK TO CLASSROOM FOR FOOTBALL BUSINESS
“In class I am surrounded by good people and strong characters. People who are also in football, cricket, business, media and other fields. It’s enriching my experience and knowledge. Most of the knowledge I had before was from my playing days and being at different clubs. Now, I am learning the right ways, the systems, and the applications of management. It is equipping me with knowledge on the management side. It will be easy to deal with situations and scenarios that arise in my day-to-day duties,” added the former Warriors veteran.
Post their playing days, many a former player take the coaching route. Coaching and punditry seem to be popular carer choices among a host of erstwhile players. According to Nengomasha, former professionals should consider administration and management as areas of interest.
NENGOMASHA URGES PLAYERS TO EMBRACE EDUCATION
“It’s very important to be empowered and skilled. The norm is that most players, when they retire, go into coaching. But not all of us can be coaches. Football also needs administrators and other people in different roles within management. This is where we lack. If we empower ourselves with knowledge and education, it will improve football not just in the southern region but in Africa as a whole,” said the former Bidvest Wits midfielder, who harbours ambitions of climbing up the leadership ladder.
“I want to grow. I want to be in a position like a football sports director. I want to work for our own association, ZIFA and also open avenues outside the country where I can continually grow. At this point, it’s not about me. It’s about the game itself. Africa has so much potential in football, and it’s up to those of us in leadership roles to make it better.”
The erstwhile tough as nails defensive midfielder is upbeat about the content and he is adamant that studying can empower those
“Sport is something special for most of us who have been in the game. With this programme, I believe we can attain the success that we want to. I pray that maybe, there can be seminars for those who are less privileged to come and also share in the ideas and knowledge.”
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Written by Hosea Ramphekwa