From captaining to coaching

Evidence Mahlalela

Maseko gives out instruction from the bench

Despite seeing two coaches being consecutively sacked in his presence and his first time experience as an assistant coach, the former captain of Mbombela United stood firm and accepted the coaching position to lead United in the 2014/15 season. Mfamipela Maseko was amongst the long serving players of Mbombela United as he campaigned with the team when it first joined the Vodacom league in 2009/10 season. Maseko captained United in the national play offs during 2012/13 season before retiring. He retired after four seasons because he felt the need to give young stars a chance and not to force the body when it could no longer perform to the best of its ability. Maseko started as a captain to be former United coach Alex Zondi’s assistant and continued to be Mpumelelo Gamedze’s assistant when he took over Zondi. When Gamedze left the club, Maseko was given the task of leading the Mbombela ship.

  

From left: Sikhumbuzo Matsebula, Maseko and Staneley Manana

Everyone was surprised with such a drastic decision, people had questions and doubts. People were wondering whether he was the right one for the position, just like when Bafana Bafana appoints a new coach but then he became United’s Shakes Mashaba. Maseko was very sure and he knew the journey he was embarking on, he was ready for the challenge as other challenges helps one grow, professionally, emotionally and physically. Maseko had no coaching experience nor papers or certificates of coaching at a professional level and he still doesn’t, however it didn’t take him not more than one season to take United to national play offs and helping the team get closer to its NFD dream. When asked whether he knew if he could lead United to win the title, he just openly answered “obviously when you take a job of coaching you must have the winning and positive mentality and also trust your players”

Who would have thought that the very same man who started off as a boy for United has now led the very same team to the bigger race? Maseko has had a very wonderful season, finishing off at the top with 71 points, only one loss in 29 games, managing to draw 5 and 23 wins. Maseko was very open about how tough the season has been yet he praised his boys for keeping up with the pressure no matter the circumstances. Maseko is fortunate to have experienced the play offs while he was still United’s player and he knows very well how short but tough the play offs are going to be however he is ready for the war, that’s what he calls it.

Maseko goes wet during United's league title celebration

The coach is extremely excited and loves his job. He is very determined to continue as long as he still has the chance and sees where the coaching takes him. Maseko couldn’t have ended it more better than the 1-0 win at home against the 2014/15 runner ups Phiva Young Stars, which happens to be their biggest competitor of all times. United is now facing the huge challenge which is the play offs that will be held in Kimberley soon as the official date is out. Maseko added that “nothing is going to change; it’s just that we must motivate and push our players to work harder than this. It’s going to be tough but I am very sure we are ready”