Football Journey Of The Former Orlando Pirates Player and UJ Coach
Information Published By Wonderboy Myanga
Mandla Zwane started his football Career the same as any other footballers in the dusty streets of Zola in Soweto.Later he moved from Zola to Mofolo also in Soweto .The other day when he was playing in the street,A guy by the name of Thulani who happened to be playing for Orlando Pirates Juniors asked him if is playing for any team ,His answer was no .Then he invited him so they can attend training together and he was very excited .He started training with Orlando Pirates under 14s from 1987 till was promoted to the Senior Team in 1993.Mandla was also the first member of SA Under 20 team which was coached by Augusto Palacios,later on Shakes Mashaba .The person influenced and inspired him to became an footballer was his late Father,Who also played professionally for African Wanderers FC in the 70’s.When he grew up one of his ambitions was to play in Overseas ,Of which it happened sooner than he thought .After turning Pro in 1993 , The following year 1994 ,Mandla left South Africa for Portugal .The challenges he faced since started playing football was injuries , acclimatizing himself to new environment especially culture also delayed of his transfer.The lessons he picked up during his football Journey is that you need to be a team player in all aspect of life ,Be tolerant Disciplined, Work Ethic has to be Consistent at all times and also willing to take instructions no matter how lousy you think is because certain situations that happens in life they are somehow directly relevant to the one that you thought was not useful or irrelevant.Nation building , Because you come across people from different places, Countries and you develop a bond that later become friendship that last longer.The changes he would like to see happening in South African Football Development Structures , According to him he wants to see especially in development structures is that they should emphasize the winning mentality, Especially in under 13 and 15 rather teach the players technique/ball mastery (Basics).For him playing professional football is the ultimate for any aspiring footballer , Stated the feeling one can not describe it,it’s a sense of achievement and fulfillment of expressing yourself and of course to be famous comes with it.The former Orlando Pirates Star doesn’t see much difference between current professional footballers ,and ex professional footballers except the current ones are playing and for his generation ,They taken different paths , Because of the state of their football also others don’t want to be involve in the game that shaped their Career Paths.Regarding his coaching Career ,Mandla began in 2011 as a Volunteer at UJ until 2019 . Coaching UJ in Varsity Cup made him felt great though ,it has its own Challenges due to the fact that you only work with students that are enrolled for that institution ,but it was nice for him and learned a lot .The other thing he had to worry for 25 to 30 players that had potential .He also shared some news with Wm Sports concerning the standout performers for his UJ Team namely : Ayanda Nkosi Maritzburg United/Orlando Pirates,Blessing Mngomezulu Bloemfontein Celtic,Grant Brunchhausen Highlands Park ,Karl Clemence Highlands Park,Ruben de Freitas Cape Town Santos ,Mlungisi Mbunjane TS Galaxy,Given Msimango TS Galaxy/Kaizer Chiefs,Shaune Mokete Mogaila TS Galaxy,Katlego Ntsabeleng South Carolina USA,Sihle Mbhele Moroka Swallows ,Neo Lebopa Pele Pele, Nkosinathi Sibiya Pele Pele,Pogiso Mabote Pele Pele,Tebogo Mandyu Wits University Abc Motsepe,Oneil Hendricks Wits University Abc Motsepe,Sihle Mbele Kaizer Chiefs DDC.In 3 years time he wants to see himself coaching in DStv Premier League or Motsepe Foundation Championship , because his motivation comes from the fact that God has kept him alive to see another Day and also the fact that he is doing something that he loves , and his family is behind him .Currently Mandla established a football Development Programme with the former Orlando Pirates Goalkeeper Thabang Stemmer called Mondial Soccer Clinic .He regards Pitso Mosimane as his Best Mentor in football ,The reason is Simple he was his Coach for six years and what he learned from him can not fit in the text.The manner in which he plans for training and matches ,and his analysis are spot on highlighted he doesn’t leave anything behind he is detailed describing him like the Germans efficient.Encouraging words for upcoming footballers ,He would like to say love football ,Be Dedicated,Be Discipline , Honest, Respect Football, Because it will change your family situation like it did for him and thousands before, during and after his playing days.He continues by saying money is not everything but beware and careful on what you use it for, Don’t hang around with bad people who might influence your Decision that later will back fire Negatively in your Career.
Wm Sports Would Like To Take This Opportunity To Thank Mandla Zwane For Sharing His Football Journey With The Online Publication.
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