Alex coach makes history
ALEXANDRA - Known as the Caf A Licence, this is the highest coaching licence on the continent.
The technical director of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association, Mxolisi Mngomezulu has made history by becoming the first coach from the township to obtain a top coaching licence from the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
Known as the Caf A Licence, this is the highest coaching licence awarded on the continent that allows the holder to coach at the highest level of professional football in Africa and Asia.
Mngomezulu (38), who currently coaches the Alex Black Aces U19 squad which plays in the South African Football Association (Safa) Academy League, was among 36 coaches from across South Africa who was awarded the licence after completing the 30-day course.
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Alex-born Mngomezulu went to Gordon Primary School and then Eastbank High School but did his grade 11 and 12 at Wendywood High School in 1995 and 1996 after obtaining a scholarship to study there.
Mngomezulu cut his teeth in football while playing for local Alex side Sheffield as an U10 and then his nimble feet attracted sides from Soweto, one of which was Rock Ridge United and finally PJ Stars. In-between the two Soweto clubs, he also played for Alex United, better known in Alexandra as the Hope City Giants.
“Football is in my DNA as I also launched my coaching career at a tender age,” he said. “My dream, now that I have the right qualifications, is to see myself coaching or in an assisting capacity at a Premier Soccer League side.
“I will not fool myself as I know how near impossible that is. I look forward to either starting in the ABC Motsepe League or the NFD [National First Division]. After this, I will then work my way up the ladder until I am able to secure a team in the Absa Premiership.”
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But Mngomezulu said he would never forget his roots. “I want to share my newly acquired knowledge and skills with fellow Alex coaches in our Monday coaching workshops.
“This is a great institution which is doing so well and classes have grown in leaps and bounds which is one of the testimonies of our success. Most of the coaches that come to these workshops are sitting pretty on top of the local logs.”
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