Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Bafana Bafana AFCON bronze-medalist Veli Mothwa are preparing for life after football by enrolling in a historic SAFA D license coaching course in Limpopo.
The two Premier Soccer League [PSL] veterans are among 38 aspiring tacticians participating in the landmark workshop organised by the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Football Association [LFA]—marking the first time a grassroots development course of this scale has been brought directly to the local community.
With an eye on future roles in the dugout, both players are utilising the off-season to equip themselves with crucial technical knowledge. Mphahlele, a highly decorated leader who spent the past season with Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit Orbit College FC, brings massive top-flight experience to the course. He also played for teams such as Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu.
Mothwa, on the other hand, spent the past campaign with the University of Pretoria. At 35, the shot-stopper has plied his trade for several top-tier South African clubs, including Chippa United and AmaZulu, and was a key member of the historic Bafana Bafana squad that secured a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
The veteran duo are currently undergoing their training at Mafori Village in Lebowakgomo, with the intensive grassroots course having commenced on 11 July and running through to this Saturday.
PSL VETERANS EQUIP THEMSELVES WITH SAFA D LICENSE
Other notable faces at the course include Albert Motupa, brother to ex-Sundowns striker Gift Motupa and former Baroka FC captain Olaleng Shaku. Shaku is said to have already been appointed as part of the Baroka technical team as they begin life in the SAFA ABC Motsepe League.
LOCAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION ELATED WITH HISTORIC COACHING COURSE
Speaking to FARPost, Lepelle-Nkumpi LFA Secretary Tukisho Manailana reflected on the historic workshop, which is the first in the area.
“This is the first in Lepelle-Nkumpi to hold such a coaching course or workshop,” Manailana told FARPost.
“Ever since the LFA has been established, this is the first batch that we are training. We are very happy because we wanted to bring development nearer to our people. As you know, most of these coaching courses are held in Polokwane most of the time.
“So we wanted to bring it home, where the grassroots level is more focused. So we are happy, and this is a learning curve. We hope to hold more coaching courses in the future.”
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