THE saying “There are no shortcuts in football” truly lives in the hearts and productivity of South African football, and more especially South African coaches at the moment.
Over the last few weeks, local football fans have been forced to replace their domestic team kits with the national flag as South African coaches make their mark across the continent.
It is just over a year now since followers of the Premier Soccer League saw Fadlu Davids fail to save the top flight status of Maritzburg United while juggling his studies for a Uefa Pro Licence.
Fast forward to 2024, the 43-year-old has taken over as head coach at Tanzanian giants Simba FC following a stint in Morocco where he assisted Josef Zinnbauer (formerly of Orlando Pirates) to claim an invincible league and cup double with Raja Casablanca.
Also on the North African radar was the energetic tactical exploits of Rulani Mokwena who has landed on the bench of three-time CAF Champions League winners Wydad Casablanca in Morocco.
The 37-year-old was deemed ‘not up to standard’ by his beloved Mamelodi Sundowns at the end of last season but now finds himself in one of the most storied stadiums in Africa with huge expectations on his shoulders.
He elected to take on this challenge with a technical team made up of South Africans, as Allan Freese, Sinethemba Badela (assistants), Sibusiso Makitla (analyst) and Sibusiso Mahlangu (fitness trainer) also join his expedition.
Morena Ramoreboli is a name perhaps not revered enough domestically as yet but is slowly starting to turn heads.
The 43-year-old mentor has taken charge of two Bafana Bafana Cosafa Cup tournaments in the last four years but it is his work for Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy that has caught the eye.
The former Maluti College FC coach was at the helm when Galaxy disposed of Pirates last season in the CAF Champions League.
Before these three coaches started making waves, it was Dr Pitso Mosimane who set about a trail that seemingly has become influential for not only aspiring coaches but also the growth of the South African game.
In fact, ‘Jingles’ encouraged more coaches to spread their wings continentally just like he did when he jetted off to Egyptian giants Al Ahly and came back with two CAF Champions League titles.
“Development of coaches is important. I’m happy when I see them (Davids and Mokwena) also flying the flag. They also have their (technical) teams … that’s beautiful,” Mosimane recently told the media.
All of these developments alongside numerous stories on the wings have all but confirmed that South Africa is once again on the map for continental powerhouses.
While huge praises have to be handed to Bafana and Sundowns for their recent continental achievements, it is notable that the future of football in the country is starting to look brighter.
Special mentions also have been made for both Benni McCarthy (former attacking coach of Manchester United) and Roger De Sa (ex-Egypt assistant coach) for their contribution to the broader South African picture.
All of the mentioned individuals have managed to combine their passion and talent with the educational direction of world football which is expected to contribute immensely in not only influencing but inspiring local football for the future.