SEDIBENG.- Keneilwe ‘Maestro’ Mathibela is one of the most highly qualified women in football.

She is not just anybody but one of the most influential individuals in South African football.

This former Banyana Banyana and High-Performance Girls Academy graduate is living her dream doing what she loves most. She is a coach, teacher, educator, mentor, motivational speaker, and community leader. Mathibela started her football career playing for the now-defunct Sebokeng Two Joy Ladies FC. This was before she was one of the girls’ soccer players who were granted the opportunity to be part of the High-Performance Girls Academy at the University of Petroria.

This was the South African Football Association (SAFA) Project that produced many Banyana Banyana players, including Mathibela.

Mathibela used this opportunity to her advantage, and as they say, the rest is history.

She is currently working as a SAFA Coaches Instructor, and to make it interesting, the world governing body, FIFA, recently approached her to oversee the delivery of coaching development programmes on the African continent.

She will be working with CAF on behalf of FIFA and will, among other responsibilities, also manage and implement FIFA Coaching Development Programmes on the continent, train FIFA technical experts, coordinate and involve coach educators, and ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program delivery.

Mathibela was with SAFA since November 2023, before FIFA knocked on her door.

This is what she had to say after she was appointed, “I regard myself as a product of the association, coming through the ranks, the development from the HPC Girls Academy in Pretoria, and going back to the academy after my graduation to be a mentor for some of the incredible players that are currently playing and at the core of the national team. And then, having been a coach educator and serving the nation for almost 15 years and having sat in the office now for a year and a half, I am truly grateful for what the association has done for me.”

Keneilwe Mathibela’s PROFILE:

– Former Banyana Banyana Captain (2006 – 2009)
– Pretoria High-Performance Centre (HPC)/ Football academy (2004 – 2007)
– BSc Sport Science (University of Pretoria, 2011)
– BA HMS Recreation and Sport Management Honours Degree (University of Pretoria, 2012)
– Coach (SAFA/CAF A License)
– Assessor registered with CATHSSETA
– Mentor, Instructor/Facilitator for SAFA
– Sport scientist (personal trainer, physical conditioning, nutritionist, and team physio)
– GIZ/YDF (Youth development through football) coach/instructor/mentor, and a consultant
– Physical trainer (strength and conditioning)
– Sport science & management lecture

Maestro Sport Development and Consultancy

– Consultant Services
– Football practical and technical training for individuals, groups and teams
– Motivational speaker
– Nutritional advice and eating plans/programmes
– Personal trainer (in the comfort of your own home)
– Basic physiotherapy
– Pre-season Training programme/ plan
– Life coach
– Match and video analyst
– Soccer player scouting
– Organisational development (structure, business plan, strategic plan and mastering)
– Soccer agent.