Kempton Park FC’s coach lift football bar high

Luyanda Mehlomakhulu, Kempton Park FC‘s coach, intends to pass down his football experience and skills to the next generation of players in his team.

Luyanda’s fascination for soccer developed when he was only eight years old in his hometown at Vosloorus.

Since then, he has decided to focus on his soccer abilities and stepped in as a coach for Kempton Park FC during one of the soccer games they played in the South African Breweries (SAB) regional league.

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“I’ve always enjoyed playing soccer, but coaching for Kempton Park FC was not in my plans. With the elevation of our team to play in the SAB regional league, I had to fill in the gap because our club did not have a coach,” Luyanda said.

Due to his long-standing affection for the club, the 33-year-old endured all the trials and tribulations that came with being a new soccer coach.Luyanda also filled in reserve coaching since the 2019 season and this will be his second season as a coach for Kempton Park FC.

When reviewing his moments on the field as a coach, he emphasises how fantastic the experience has been as well as all the soccer elements he is currently learning in his coaching career.

“My experience as a coach has been tremendous; it has allowed me to see football in a new light and it also opened my eyes to several aspects of the game.

“This includes player management and the duty of developing excellent team chemistry among the players, but the most essential of all is instilling discipline and accountability in the team to establish a strong football culture.”

During the time he spent with Kempton Park FC players, Luyanda describes the team as a set of incredible players with diverse personalities.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air interacting with the players. We are compelled to adjust to new ways of living while having to let go of the time we spend in the field due to the terrible circumstances we have encountered as a result of Covid-19.

“Since gatherings are prohibited, this is likely to cause mental illnesses to seep into our athlete’s life; I am quite concerned about this.”

Luyanda added by saying that the shutdown of sporting activities is likely to hinder the positive benefits that sports have in communities, particularly among young people, as well as help build healthier surroundings in which young people can remain disciplined.

“Sports instil confidence in players and empower them to conquer the world regardless of the circumstances they face, therefore sports being suspended might be a pandemic itself.”

Due to the lifted restrictions, the ‘football beast,’ as he refers to himself, has taken it upon himself to ensure that his team players keep fit in the comfort of their homes and that team cohesion is maintained.

“I’ve realised that as a coach I have a vital role to play during this trying period. I must lead by example and provide my players with numerous tactics and exercises that they can use to stay fit.”

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