Being the “coach’s son” is a label many players dread, and for Wandile Mthombeni, playing under his father, Bucs, is proving to be a gruelling test of character.
While fans might assume that having your father at the helm leads to favouritism, Mthombeni has revealed that the opposite is true. The Casric Stars goalkeeper admits that the pressure to prove he belongs in the starting line-up—on merit alone—has made his journey more difficult than that of his teammates.
In an interview with FARPost, Mthombeni opened up about the unique dynamic, describing the mental toll of balancing their professional relationship on the pitch with their personal bond at home.
The 25-year-old emerged as a hero for Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Casric, during their penalty shootout victory over Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 in Soweto on Saturday.
Mthombeni described the week as “overwhelming,” yet noted it was a moment he had anticipated after his side toppled one of the country’s giants. The club has since been drawn against AmaZulu FC in the Nedbank quarter-finals.
For the gialie, outperforming the Soweto giants was no fluke. He has served as an understudy to several goalkeepers since joining the club in 2022, back when they purchased the top-flight status of Free State Stars.
This season, he has firmly claimed the number one spot, recording an impressive six clean sheets in nine matches. He has done so under the watchful eye of his father, Bucs Mthombeni, the club’s co-owner and coach.
CASRIC STARS GOALKEEPER SHARES PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH HIS FATHER
Wandile has disclosed that his father’s ‘tough-love’ has helped him grow as a player. “To be honest, he is only my dad when we are at home,” Mthombeni told FARPost. “But once we are out on the pitch, he is the coach.
“He treats me like every other player and actually expects me to push harder so that I can lead by example. If I don’t do certain things, the rest of the squad won’t either; they’d think, ‘Why can’t you tell your own son?’ I wouldn’t say he’s just strict, but he definitely gives me tough love.
“He always wants me at my best. Even when I’m performing well, he wants me to push for more. When we are running in training, he expects me to outrun everyone. I know I can’t afford to relax because of the competition in the squad. It’s tough, but his constant support helps a lot,” he added.
Meanwhile, when asked about his father’s approach to man-management, the goalkeeper noted that the head coach treats the entire team like family.
“He’s more of a father than a coach to the players. I think that’s why all the players play their hearts out for him,” Wandile said.
“He is open to everyone. You can go to him with a personal problem, and he will help you. He’s not just a coach but a father to everyone at the football club. His personality makes it easier for the players to play for him.”
RELATED STORY: Casric Stars boot Orlando Pirates out of Nedbank Cup