Mohafe says career hardships forged resilience and nearly drove him to quit

Marumo Gallants coach Phuti Mohafe says the difficulties he has faced throughout his football career built the resilience that now defines him, although he admits there was a time when the pressure almost persuaded him to walk away.

Mohafe is beginning work with Gallants after leading Polokwane City to three consecutive top-eight finishes, achievements he secured despite the challenges associated with working at the Limpopo club.

His coaching journey at Polokwane City began as an assistant, following a lengthy spell at Witbank Spurs, where limited resources were a constant feature. His playing career was also spent largely in the first division, where financial rewards were modest.

“You are right, I have suffered and I think those sufferings have brought joy in my career and planted this strong character that I now have,” Mohafe tells KickOff.com when asked about suffering.

For Mohafe, those experiences became lessons that shaped both his character and his approach to football. He says the difficulties were severe enough for him to consider ending his career, but he was ultimately encouraged by an inner voice to continue.

“Those were the teachings and the hard lessons for me to learn because at some point I even thought of giving up.

“But then there were those words at the back of my mind which said ‘if you quit who is going to do it and if you quit how will you know of the next step, if you quit then who must take your shoes’.

“So, it was then that I said I mustn’t quit and I didn’t quit,” says Mohafe.

The 52-year-old’s playing career remained largely confined to the first division from the period when South Africa’s domestic top flight became the Premier Soccer League.

In 1996, Mohafe was studying for a diploma in business management while supporting Real Rovers from home. The team included George “Rubber” Mathiba, Alex Bapela and Humphrey Sithole.

At that stage, he was playing amateur football and had not seriously considered making the game his profession.

“In 1996, I was doing my diploma in business management while supporting my team from home Real Rovers who had (George) Rubber Mathiba, Alex Bapela, and Humphrey Sithole,” he remembers.

“Then in terms of football, I was playing amateur and wasn’t even thinking of playing professionally.

“All I knew was that I was a good centre back.”

The possibility of becoming a professional player emerged only after his late father took him to trials at Moroka Swallows. Mohafe was playing for Mighty FC in the first division at the time, before later joining Ria Stars, who were promoted while he was on loan.

He impressed at Moroka Swallows and received encouragement from members of the coaching staff, but a contract did not materialise despite the interest of Eddie Lewis.

“The thought of playing professionally only came to my mind when my late father took me to trials at Moroka Swallows while playing for Mighty FC in the first division before moving to Ria Stars who promoted while I was on loan.

“It was so unfortunate that I couldn’t sign at Swallows even though Eddie Lewis wanted me.

“The assistant coaches Yster Khomane and Vader Mophosho always gave me a pat on the back at Swallows and encouraged me to do well, and I tried my level best, but it wasn’t to be.”

Mohafe subsequently became a journeyman, moving between clubs before eventually joining Witbank Spurs. It was there that his coaching career began.

“I then became a journeyman until I ended up at Witbank Spurs where my coaching career started,” says Mohafe.