It will be a full circle moment for the former academy coach of Aphelele Teto, Carlos Mtshamba, as he returns to Scottish Premier Division side, Livingston FC, for a third visit. Mtshamba has enjoyed a fruitful vocation in developing young South African talent through his Carlos Soccer Youth Development Academy.
His East London-based academy has nurtured a multitude of young talent. This includes one of South Africa’s latest youth sensations, Aphelele Teto. The academy founder maintains relationships with several clubs across Europe. This has enabled him to send some of his players abroad for exposure.
The former Chippa United DDC coach explained how he secured his first relationship with a European club. He credited former FC Copenhagen attacker Sibusiso Zuma for opening the first door for him in Denmark.
“It started with FC Copenhagen, which was my first bridge before Scotland. This is where the great legend Sibusiso ‘Ree’ Zuma arranged for me to go and spend 10 days with FC Copenhagen and their academy,” Mtshamba told FARPost.
The passionate youth coach further explained how his first trip to Europe uncovered a new revelation of footballing insight for him.
“It started there, and then I started to see football differently, especially with development and how I think it’s supposed to be done. I think that has also helped me to become a better person when it comes to talent identification and how to run the academy.”
MTSHAMBA AKNOWLEDGES TETO’S IMPACT
In 2022, Mtshamba successfully brokered a deal for Teto, joining PSL side TS Galaxy on a permanent transfer. A year later, Teto made a dream move to Scottish side Livingston FC, under the guidance of his former coach. The father-figure-like coach helped young Teto realise his footballing dreams, forsaking his impoverished living conditions.
A year forward, Livingston has invited Teto’s former coach for a club tour. Mtshamba explained the program for his upcoming trip, detailing what he will be exposed to when he gets to Scotland.
“It’s a different trip where I will be spending time with the first team and joining them for the training sessions, and then also in the afternoon, the academy has training sessions. Move around also to the admin side and see how they do things,” revealed the former Chippa coach.
Mtshamba, who leaves for Scotland on Thursday, acknowledged that his grooming of Teto not only impacted the player but also had a positive effect on his career as a coach. He further commented on the scarcity of such opportunities in South African football.
“I can say that as much as I made Teto, he has also complimented me on the other side. If it weren’t for his going to Scotland, I wouldn’t have been in Scotland. It was not gonna be because in South Africa, I do not have that kind of relationship with any PSL club, where I have an open policy to call anytime,” he said.
MTSHAMBA ON ONGOING AND FUTURE FOOTBALL ENDEVOUS
After parting ways with Chippa, Mtshamba has quietly drawn back from the PSL football scene. In the process of revealing his current endeavours, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity his former club afforded him.
“Let me say thanks to Chairman Chippa Mpengesi for allowing me to be part of his club as a DDC head coach. I have learned a great deal, coaching at the professional level for the first time. Coming up against your Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns,” he said.
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