Reneilwe Letsholonyane to join FC Platinum as assistant coach in Zimbabwean Premier League move

South African midfield great Reneilwe Letsholonyane is set to begin a new chapter in his coaching career as assistant coach at FC Platinum in the Zimbabwean Premier League.

The former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana star will work under compatriot Thabo Senong, who was confirmed as FC Platinum’s new head coach on Tuesday. Letsholonyane has already travelled to Zimbabwe with Senong to take up the role.

The move comes shortly after the end of Letsholonyane’s spell in Botswana with Matebele FC, where his contract expired at the conclusion of last season. He had entered discussions over a possible new deal with the club, but those talks did not lead to an extension.

Instead, the 41-year-old is now preparing for a first coaching job in Zimbabwe, joining one of the country’s most prominent clubs. FC Platinum are regular contenders in the Zimbabwean Premier League and have been involved in CAF inter-club competitions in recent seasons.

Letsholonyane, affectionately known as “Yeye” during his playing days, is regarded as one of South Africa’s finest midfielders of his generation. He made his name at Kaizer Chiefs, winning multiple domestic trophies, and represented Bafana Bafana at international level.

Senong’s appointment at FC Platinum, and the decision to bring in Letsholonyane as his assistant, underlines the club’s intention to tap into South African coaching expertise as they look to strengthen their technical team.

Details of the length of Letsholonyane’s contract at FC Platinum have not been disclosed, but the former midfielder is expected to work closely with Senong as pre-season and squad preparations get under way in Zimbabwe.

The development marks another step in Letsholonyane’s post-playing career, following on from his experience in Botswana with Matebele FC, and extends the presence of South African coaches and former players across the African continent.