SEDIBENG.- A local coach was part of the South African team that crowned the CAF African Schools Football Championship COSAFA Qualifier held in Namibia from October 11-13.
Coach Thulani ‘Japan’ Mthimkulu was the assistant to Slekedi Mogale leading the SA School U15 Boys Team that brought the gold medal home. To make it interesting, the SA Schools Girls Team was also crowned the tournament champions. South Africa was in Group B with the likes of Angola, Eswatini and Zimbabwe. The tournament started in the round-robin system to the knockout stages. The South African teams made their presence felt in this tournament.
He completed his CAF Diploma Coaching Qualifications recently.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Mthimkulu said he was grateful for the opportunity to be part of this bunch of winners. He said he was grateful to be working under the leadership of the head coach Slekedi. He also acknowledged SAFA Technical Director Water Steenbok for believing in his ability.
“It was very exciting and challenging to be part of this tournament. I’m happy that I created a relationship with the technicians from the neighbouring countries to understand the level of competition. The new experience entailed the weather conditions, currency, languages, and socio-economic conditions as well as the importance of safeguarding players,” said Mthimkulu.
Mthimkulu was also full of compliments for those who helped to select this bunch of exciting talent. Former Bafana Bafana Captain Aaron ‘Mbazo’ Mokoena who happens to come from Vaal was part of the scouts. Other selectors were David Nyathi, Raymond Mdaka (U120 National Team Head Coach), and Godfrey Mosoetsa. The process to select players started at school clusters then moved to districts then to the regions, provincial, and national tournaments in August. The nine provinces battled against each other to select the national team.
