Siphiwe Mkhonza, popularly known to the football fraternity as Dr Mnandi, has his sights set on a development initiative in the form of the Dr Mnandi Boot Camp meant for players from 14 to 21 years.
The boot camp is a three-day workshop that will see young players learn about football physiology, financial planning and nutrition, and receive training guidance.
According to Siphiwe, the aim of the boot camp is to bridge the gap between club football and professional football, and equip young footballers with all the necessities of a footballer.
The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana captain aims to inspire young and upcoming talent through everything he does, including winning the FIFA coach of the year title four times.
Four former professional players who are also very experienced coaches, Thabo September, Lucky Lekgwathi, Siphiwe Mkhonza and Phumudzo Manenzhe, will be at the boot camp.
“We are trying to instil what we have acquired over the years – it’s critical that we teach these kids that talent alone is not enough. We are trying to create an environment where they will know and understand the four fundamental aspects of a player,” said Siphiwe.
Currently based in Honeydew, Siphiwe came from humbling beginnings and is now a football analyst on SoccerZone on SABC 1 which boasts a viewership of more than four million people per show country-wide.
“My focus is on the first-of-its-kind Dr Mnandi Boot Camp, the first of many to be is held quarterly. The aim is to stimulate a conversation between improving, monitoring and managing these youngsters,” said Siphiwe.
IIE MSA (Monash University) Head Coach is a proud husband to Ndumi Mkhonza who is always willing to assist and coordinate in meetings and at photo shoots.
Siphiwe revealed to the Northsider that practical skills training is also a big part of the training, and that he is starting a YouTube channel. His website should be up and running shortly where one will be able to become a member of the Dr Mnandi Boot Camp.
Members of the public are advised to follow Dr Mnandi on social media to get updates on the upcoming boot camp and registration.
