You will not find a more successful South African coach than Pitso Mosimane as he holds three CAF Champions League gold medals and two third place finishes in the FIFA Club World Cup.
‘Jingles’ is still the most decorated sole head coach in the Premier Soccer League with five championships to his name.
Mosimane is currently unattached after his last gig in Saudi Arabia with Abha Club. ‘Jingles’ may be the first South African to take up a head coaching role in North Africa, but Phakamani Mahlambi was the trendsetter in 2017 when he joined Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly.
Even though Mahlambi’s stay in Egypt is one to forget – the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker signed for the North African heavyweights when it was not fashionable.
READ: ‘Life goes on’ – Steve Barker on losing Iqraam Rayners and Deano Van Rooyen to fellow rivals
Fast forward a few years later, Mosimane’s two-year reign at Al Ahly opened the door for the likes of Fadlu Davids and Rhulani Mokwena, alongside Jozef Zinnbauer, who has a bit of Mzansi heritage in him, having coached one of the country’s biggest teams in Orlando Pirates.
Mokwena was recently appointed the head coach of Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca while Davids calls the shots at Tanzanian outfit Simba FC.
Of late, Elias Mokwana and Khanyisa Mayo have also been snapped up by big teams in Africa, with the former joining four-time CAF Champions League winner Esperance while the latter was unveiled by CR Belouizdad.
'Those who plant the trees are not the ones who necessarily enjoy the shade.'
Speaking to the South African Football Journalists Association, the Wydad mentor is of the view that the sudden interest and attention on PSL talent is a spin off from Bafana Bafana’s bronze medal-winning performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
“I think our football is still on the rise, we had a very good AFCON and that has contributed to the limelight, moving into that space where there is a lot more respect and maybe a lot more appreciation for the work that we are doing as a country in the space of football. A lot of people need to take credit for that.
“Part to coach Pitso’s success is also the leadership that Patrice Motsepe has shown on the African continent as CAF president. I think that has given rise to the name and interest in relations to South Africans on the continent. We also have a player like Percy Tau who has done exceptionally well for Al Ahly,” said Mokwena.
Rulani Mukwena and staff 2024-25 season 💪🔴⚪️#DimaWydad #WydadCamp24 pic.twitter.com/APxpcI7kh9
— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) August 5, 2024
“These people have done great work in spearheading and preparing the surface for all of us. Part to their success is the establishment of great opportunities. They have to take a lot of credit and you’ve got to give them their flowers. The truth of the matter is part to everyone’s success is the progress that everyone has made.
“The truth of the matter is that the ones who come after have the possibility to enjoy the fruits of the work of those who went ahead of them. Ours is then to come behind and show respect and appreciation for what they have done and give credibility to the reputation that they have tried to create and forge for us. I don’t know what it means for South African football. We are in a very good space at the moment. The future does look bright,” Mokwena explained.
Mokwena’s technical team, meanwhile, comprises of all-South African bench with Allan Freese serving as the technical director, Sinethemba Badela is Mokwena’s assistant, Sibusiso Makitla is Wydad’s performance analyst while Sibusiso Mahlangu is the fitness trainer.
Davids, who returned to being a head coach after spending some time as an assistant. He too also opted for a handpicked all-South African technical team consisting of Darian Wilken as his right-hand man. Mueez Kajee is Simba’s performance analyst, Wayne Sandilands focuses on the goalkeepers while Riedoh Berdien is the fitness coach.
Inside the Wydad Camp 24 : Training for Success ✨✊
— Wydad Athletic Club (@WACofficiel) August 6, 2024
Full Video on Youtube : https://t.co/Rwu0nRgxkS#DimaWydad #WydadCamp24 pic.twitter.com/KwGgGaZ86y
