SEDIBENG.- For the past three weeks it has been R.I.P. (Rest in Peace) after R.I.P. in our sports with the country mourning the passing of the great sporting heroes.

First, it was former VUT Athletics Club Coach, Ian Harries, then former Kaizer Chiefs great, Fran “Jingles” Pereira. As if this is not enough, the South African football fraternity is this week mourning the passing of one of the greatest development coaches in South African football, Coach James Mabena, affectionately known as “Akulalwe” during his playing days who passed away on Saturday after a short illness.

This is heartbreaking for South African football taking into consideration the players Coach James produced for this country in the two decades that he was with the School Of Excellence. He produced household names in South African football with many even going to ply their trade in Europe.

Coach James spent the most part of his life in the development of our football, producing wonderful players for this country.  He was passionate about the development of football in this country after he retired from top-flight football.

South African football will never be written without mentioning Coach James’ name. He spent his life developing players for this country, and he deserved to be honoured alongside former greats in the Hall of Fame!

Yours truly, TOUCHLINE, traveled the country with this fallen hero to scout players for the School of Excellence. Coach James’ knowledge of football was at another level and he was very passionate about the development of football in this country.

The sad reality about our football is that you can only trend when it is R.I.P. but we fail those who have contributed to the development of our football while they are still alive. Coach James is one of the few people that we have failed as a country. Despite his knowledge of the development of football in the country we failed to make use of his knowledge for our national soccer teams, especially junior national teams. TOUCHLINE doubts that the School Of Excellence will be the same again, unless otherwise.

Rest in Peace Coach James.