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AmaZulu unveil Letsholonyane and OJ as academy coaches
Sandile Zungu challenged other clubs to also follow suit and take their development structures seriously
Mfundo Zungu, AmaZulu director, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and board member, Sinenjabulo Zungu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday. Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images
Former Bafana Bafana players Mbulelo ‘OJ’ Mabizela and Reneilwe Letsholonyane are amongst coaches unveiled by AmaZulu FC on Thursday afternoon.
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AmaZulu announced the duo alongside former Orlando Pirates and national Under-23 star Andile Cele, among others, as the men to guide their youngsters.
In announcing them, Usuthu boss Sandile Zungu challenged other clubs to also follow suit and take their development structures seriously.
Letsholonyane, who shot to fame at Kaizer Chiefs, will be tasked with shaping AmaZulu’s Under 17’s.
He was one of the top performers for Bafana during the famed Fifa World Cup on South African soil back in 2010.
The 40-year-old was at some point linked with a return to Amakhosi on a similar basis after earning his coaching badges.
Mabizela will be the assistant to the Under 13’s coaches at the club. The 42-year-old shot to prominence at Orlando Pirates.
He broke records when he became the club’s and later Bafana’s youngest ever captain.
But off-the-field misdemeanours crippled his progress in football and some believe he never really reached his full potential.
He also had a stint in England with Tottenham Hotspur and in Norway. Locally he also played for Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars.
Then also had a short stint at AmaZulu as a player before hanging up his boots a few years ago.
He will be working with Nqoba Mdladla, who was named the side’s Under 13 coach on Thursday.
Cele will be in charge of the club’s Under 19’s. The Under 15’s will be guided by Brice Petersen and he will be assisted by Taino Banda.
Aim is to groom future stars
AmaZulu also announced Amanda Sithole who will be the fitness coach across all the academy divisions.
She will also serve as an assistant to Letsholonyane in the Under 17’s. Aubrey Vilakazi will train the young keepers at the club.
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The aim for the team to fortify and restructure their academy is so they can produce players who know the culture and tradition of the team.
The Durban based DStv Premiership side also unveiled goalkeeper Jody February who joined on from Mamelodi Sundowns.
February was loaned out to Swallows FC last season but opted to remain in Chloorkop this season but he was not given a chance.
