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SA is represented by those fulfilling management roles in local football as their sought-after expertise is recognised internationally, writes Daniel Mothowagae.
As South Africa is reeling after the diplomatic fallout triggered by recent xenophobic violence, a feel-good story emerged from Tanzania last weekend. Senzo Mazingiza, from Boipatong township in the Vaal, had landed a plum job as the new chief executive of Tanzanian football powerhouse Simba Sports Club.
The 40-year-old was previously rumoured to be a potential candidate for the vacant PSL post of permanent accounting officer.
“We should be very proud of ourselves as a country, that our skills are sought elsewhere,” Mazingiza told City Press this week.
“It shows that we are capable and, who knows, it could no longer just be rumours any more the day I come back home,” he said in jest. He hinted at the long-term benefits of acquiring new skills and experience, which, in turn, would benefit the local game.
“We can only be grateful to individuals such as PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza, Kaizer Motaung and Patrice Motsepe for the fact that we are well respected outside [the country].”
Mazingiza, who is changing his surname to Mbatha, previously served as general manager at the now defunct Platinum Stars. He also held managerial positions at Orlando Pirates, and was the deputy PSL tournament director for the 2010 World Cup project.
He said there had been “a number of recommendations and talks” prior to his being recommended for the plum Simba job.
“The position was officially advertised and I applied some months back,” said Mazingiza.
His arrival is part of Simba’s transformation project, initiated by local billionaire Mohamed “Mo” Dewji, who now owns 49% of the club. “Simba looked at their shortcomings and they transformed into a company. They want to compete with Mamelodi Sundowns on the continent and be the next TP Mazembe. It is going to be a collective effort.”
Simba reached the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League last season, but were eliminated in the preliminary round in the ongoing campaign.
Mazingiza said Simba were well supported in Tanzania.
Thabo Senong
Country: Lesotho
Post: Lesotho senior men’s coach
Senong was confirmed as the head coach of Likuena late last month.
The 38-year-old guided South Africa to the past two Under-20 World Cups, but his contract was not renewed by Safa in May after the latest global tournament in Poland, where Amajita failed to win a match.
Senong, who is from Soweto, has been in the coaching system at Safa for the past five years. He previously served as Bafana Bafana assistant coach under Shakes Mashaba and Stuart Baxter.
Ironically, Senong arrived in Lesotho just a few weeks after Likuena knocked out South Africa with a 6-2 aggregate win in the 2020 African Nations Championship qualifiers.
Although they were eliminated in the preliminary round of the World Cup qualifiers last weekend, Senong will guide Lesotho in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which start in November.
They are grouped with Nigeria, Benin and Sierra Leone.
Serame Letsoaka
Country: Botswana
Post: Technical director: Botswana Football Association
Former Bafana assistant coach and Safa technical director Letsoaka was unveiled by the Botswana FA in June last year.
“I think this is an environment I can work in and I am sure we have a lot of technicians in South Africa, but none of them is willing to go out of the country to hone their skills,” he told online publication goal.com.
“So the aim is to lead the way and I think this was the right time for me to lead the process of leaving the country because I believe we can grow when we see what other countries do in football,” said the former PSL club coach, who had spells at Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and Golden Arrows.
Riedoh Berdien
Country: Gambia
Post: Conditioning coach for Gambia’s senior men’s football team
Berdien was in the news recently after Zamalek coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic hinted that the Egypt club was interested in the retaining the services of the former Chippa United and Free State Stars fitness coach.
Berdien (37) has extensive experience in his field at club and national team levels. He joined the Scorpions last year and was also part of the Banyana Banyana support staff at the Women’s World Cup in France in June and July.
His CV also shows that he has been a personal trainer for the likes of former Togo and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, among other top stars.
Bradley Carnell
Country: US
Post: New York Red Bulls assistant coach
Carnell (42) joined the MLS outfit in March 2017, shortly after he left Orlando Pirates, where he served in the same capacity.
On his arrival in the US, then Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch said the former Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs left back earned his respect after having played at the highest level, particularly in the Bundesliga in Germany, at which he spent more than a decade.
Shilene Booysen
Country:US
Post: Performance analyst
Booysen’s name might not ring a bell for many, but she is one of the unheralded members of Banyana Banyana’s technical staff.
Through the data she gathers during training and official matches, her work essentially becomes central to the team talks.
Booysen was recruited by former Banyana coach Vera Pauw at Houston Dash in the American National Women’s Soccer League, where she doubled as assistant coach.
Booysen was on a one-year contract with Dash, with an option to renew, but Banyana required her services for their maiden World Cup appearance in France. She also had a short stint with Bafana under Baxter.
Kylie Louw
Country: US
Post: Northern Arizona University women’s football team head coach
Louw (30) played for Banyana at the 2012 Olympics. She was elevated from assistant to head coach of Northern Arizona in March after two seasons as deputy.
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