Coaching football is about much more than winning matches.

It is about shaping young lives, building confidence, and creating opportunities for children to develop, both on and off the field. This is what local football coach Tefo Phillip Mollo believes in.

The 31-year-old Allandale resident has been coaching football since 2017. He now coaches the U11 and U13 teams under Allandale Ext 1 FC.

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Although Mollo did not pursue a playing career, he knew from his high school years that he wanted to build a future in sport.

His ambition was to become a sports manager, and coaching became the perfect way to combine his passion for football with his desire to develop young athletes.

After doing his matric in 2015, he went on to volunteer at iKamva Youth as a caretaker in 2016, where he was tasked with coaching a team. This is where his love for coaching got reignited.

He says that under the guidance of then coach Lucky ‘Nkulisa’ Dunn, he learnt a lot of discipline in being a coach, and will forever be grateful for that.

Working with young players requires patience, consistency, and a genuine passion for youth development. Through regular training sessions and match preparation, Mollo strives to create an environment where every player feels encouraged to learn and grow.

Since joining Allandale Ext 1 FC, Mollo has dedicated himself to helping children improve their football skills, while teaching them the importance of discipline, teamwork, and respect.

He says working with young players requires patience, consistency, and a genuine passion for youth development. Through regular training sessions and match preparation, Mollo strives to create an environment where every player feels encouraged to learn and grow.

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He added that, with the support from a lot of parents, he has been able to get the young players aligned with their football dreams. He urges more parents to start supporting their children’s dreams.

Mollo also believes that if his team got assistance, with things such as a uniform kit, that would help the club go high up the ranks and gain recognition from football associations, such as the Midrand Local Football Association.

As coach of the club’s U11 and U13 teams, Mollo hopes to continue helping young people reach their full potential, and never get into things that would destroy their future.

His journey from a high school learner with dreams of working in sports to a respected coach further shows that success in football is not only achieved by scoring goals, but also by investing in the young generation.

For him, every training session is one that gives another opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the young players in Allandale.

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