The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder says South African coaches should be given a fair chance.
Mendu who is currently involved with Copa Coca Cola Global Cup as one of their scouts feels coaches like Gavin Hunt and Pitso Mosimane have proved that you don’t have to hire a European coach for your team to be successful.
“As a South African coach myself, I think the ask is too much when it’s us but if our European brothers come here to coach everything is laid on the table without even them having to ask for it because they know what’s expected.
South Africans are not given the same opportunities. When you ask for two assistant coaches they will never provide them. They will never allow you to sign Khama Billiat and then a foreign coach comes and they sign Billiat but that’s a story for another day”
Mendu pointed to Mosimane and Hunt’s recent league dominance as proof that local coaches have got what it takes.
“Why are they not give the credit they deserve? Why are other coaches not given opportunities because they can see it’s proven, we can compete with our European counterparts but we are not given a fair chance. It’s hurting because we always have to try harder. Nothing is easy for us. You go to courses, you go to mentorships, you go to Pitso, you go to Gavin but nothing is happening for us”.
Asked about his readiness to coach in the Premier Soccer League he replied “I’m ready! I’m not saying because this is an interview. I’m saying this because I accepted that I need to go and transition from being a player to being a coach. I sat down with Pitso and asked for advice. I asked for advice from Gavin and Steve.
You ask for advice because indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili. That’s what I’ve been doing to be ready when I get an opportunity”.
Watch the full interview below:
