Marumo Gallants interim mentor Matome Mathiane has spoken about how he dreamt of becoming a coach after playing for the likes of Manqoba Mngqithi and Steve Komphela in the SA top-flight.
Mathiane has been appointed to steer the ship at the struggling Betway Premiership side following the suspension of coach Alexandre Lafitte.
The 37-year-old recently retired from playing to pursue a coaching career. During his playing career, Mathiane played for Baroka FC, Marumo Gallants, Chippa United, and Golden Arrows, where he also served as club captain.
MATOME MATHIANE WANTS TO MAKE A MARK IN HIS COACHING CAREER
He was the DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] coach before his promotion to the senior team. Speaking after his side lost 3-1 to defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, Mathiane said he doesn’t want to be compared to other coaches, but it has always been his dream to sit on the dugout.
“I don’t want to do things that other people [coaches] did because they have their own history,” he said.
HOW THE FORMER GOLDEN ARROWS CAPTAIN WAS INSPIRED BY HIS FORMER COACHES
“So I am still young in coaching, and I am willing to learn. It’s for people to see what I can offer, so I wouldn’t choose and say I want to be like this coach. I have worked with coaches like Manqoba [Mngqithi] and Steve Komphela. So it’s my dream to be like them as well.”
“I think it was always my dream. Looking at the teams I played for, I was always a leader. I was always the captain of those teams. So it was just in me as a leader, so I have told myself that when I retire, this is what I want to do.
“So I believe that choosing the right job is good for me, and I have experience with it. I have been working with different coaches, and I have learnt a lot from them. So I will also add on what I have to the boys.”
RELATED STORY: Marumo Gallants turn to ex-AS FAR coach to fight relegation