From captaining
to coaching
Evidence
Mahlalela
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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.
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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.
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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”