Panorama FC coach credits passion and planning for historic youth wins
From regional to provincial glory: Coach Gcabashe's journey to the top with Panorama FC.
Luyanda Boya Gcabashe (34), born and raised in KZN, has led Panorama Football Club with his own special blend of passion and knowledge of football. Luyanda is leading his squad with a winning recipe that combines skill, strategy, and pure love. He has been making a lasting impression on the sport.
“I love football, and I was a football player from a young age. I am passionate about developing football players. I want to develop better players, see them playing for professional teams and the national team,” Luyanda said.
Due to his participation in regional and national leagues and tournaments, he has gained widespread recognition. He led the BSG Fast Eleven Football Club in KZN to a significant accomplishment in 2014 as the team’s head coach, finishing as the South African Breweries League (SAB) Runners Up in the Ilembe District. He and the Moriah Classic Football Club of the Ilembe District won the SAB League in 2016. He also coached the Double Classic Football Club, winning the Northwest U17 Cup and the Soweto Grass Roots U17 Cup.
He then coached the Jozi Stars in 2019 and didn’t win anything, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his goals. He began a new chapter with Panorama in 2021, and after an outstanding season, he was offered a position with the Pretoria Callies FC in 2022 as a second assistant coach in the National First Division (NFD). Sadly, Luyanda did not complete a season with Callies since the team had to make cuts after losing a sponsor. In the same year that he lost his position at Callies, Luyanda returned to his destiny at Panorama.
His comeback was historical for the club since as a head coach. He achieved many things, such as:
• Head Coach of the U17 and U19 team in the Gauteng Development League in 2022
• Placed 16th (quarter-finalist) in 2022 for the U19 Cape Town Bay Hill Tournament
• U18 Engen Tournament as a quarter-finalist in 2022
• Became the runners-up for the Gauteng Development League Cup in 2022
• In 2023 became the Engen Tournament U18 quarter-finalist and Orlando Pirates Cup quarter-finalist with U21
• In 2024, their U18 Engen Tournament journey ended at the group stage, and in 2025, Luyanda took Panorama to the top as he won the Engen Knockout Challenge for the first time with the club
He touched on the key strengths and weaknesses of Panorama and how he plans to build the team.
“Our strengths are to play as a team, display good football, and maintain discipline and unity. Our weaknesses are, we need to improve in the final third, particularly in converting chances into goals,” he said.
Luyanda explained how he stays motivated and inspired as a coach, and what drives him to succeed.
“I want to see myself at a professional level. What drives me to succeed is learning, improving my knowledge, because football is evolving, and planning is also important. I am passionate about football.”
He told the Roodepoort Northsider about the most memorable moment in his coaching career so far.
“Winning the Engen Tournament Champion and getting the Coach of the Tournament award, of course,” he concluded.
* This article was amended after it was published. The article previously stated that coach Loyanda Gcabashe was the coach of the winning teams of the U17 and U19 Gauteng Development League, but he was the head coach of the U17 and U19 team in the league. The Roodepoort Record apologises for any confusion caused.
