Assistant coach Sibusiso Timire steers Hawks to Midrand Local Football Association league title

When Sibusiso Timire arrived as assistant coach in the 2023/24 season, the Hawks were still learning to fly.

Founded in 2021 in Midrand, the club was in its infancy, finishing in second place behind Voosies FC in the Midrand Local Football Association (MLFA).

For Timire, who holds a CAF D licence and a FIFA safeguarding certificate and is a dedicated tactical coach with core skills in tactical analysis, player development, team motivation, and match preparation job, the job was clear from day one: youth development.

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He implemented training drills to enhance youth player growth, building a team for tomorrow while competing today. Then came the setback. In the 2024/25 season, the Hawks dropped to third place behind Midrand United.

For many clubs, that would have been the end of the dream, but for Timire, it was the turning point. He went back to the board, supporting first-team training and matchday analysis and quietly fixed what was broken. The result was an improved defensive record and a team that was harder to beat, more disciplined, and more cohesive.

In the 2025/26 season, it all came together when the club won the MLFA league title. This was Timire’s season. He led tactical preparation and player development throughout the title-winning campaign. His focus was ruthless and clear: defensive structure and attacking transitions. Secure at the back, lethal going forward.

Timire explained how the team adapted mentally to secure the title. “I think the boys and I, we became mentally strong to a point where we were prepared for anything that comes our way. The boys applied all the tactical formation on the field, which made things easy for us to win the games,” said Timire.

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From implementing youth drills in year one, to improving the defence in year two, Timire led the club to league success through strategic planning, discipline, and strong player relationships in year three. He said his passion remains focused on nurturing young talent.

“I believe winning and development are not separate. With my FIFA safeguarding certificate, I learned that a safe player is a confident player. If a young boy feels safe, respected and protected, he will perform. So, we balance it like this, in training we give young players time and we teach them and we don’t shout. We integrate one or two young players at a time into the starting 11, next to senior players who can guide them,” he said.

Timire further outlined the club’s future goals. “The next big goal for the club is to consolidate in the SAB League and compete properly at Safa regional level. We want to build a team that can challenge for ABC Motsepe promotion in the next two years, with good structures off the field as well,” he said.

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