Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite appointed 05 United head coach

Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite has taken charge of Lesotho club 05 United FC, becoming the club’s new head coach.

Mashamaite, 41, recently joined the A Division side and has been given responsibility for leading its technical team. The A Division is the second tier of men’s domestic football in Lesotho.

The appointment marks another step in Mashamaite’s developing coaching career. He had a short spell in charge of Phalaborwa United, a Limpopo-based ABC Motsepe League club, last year.

Although his time at Phalaborwa United lasted only two matches, Mashamaite said the experience confirmed that he still had a strong passion for football. He holds a SAFA CAF D Coaching License.

Mashamaite is believed to have agreed a three-year contract with 05 United, although the club has not confirmed the reported length of the deal. The club declined to comment when approached, while Mashamaite was also unavailable.

His move into coaching follows a playing career that included four years with Kaizer Chiefs. Mashamaite represented the Soweto club between 2011 and 2015 and also served as captain during his time there.

The former defender now begins his first coaching role outside South Africa with 05 United, who are based in Mohale’s Hoek. The town is about 125 km south of Lesotho’s capital, Maseru.

05 United will compete in Lesotho’s second level as Mashamaite takes on the task of guiding the club’s technical set-up. Details of the club’s ambitions and the exact terms of his appointment have not been made public.