South African coaches ‘holding the flag high’ across Africa, says Kopo

Former Chippa United and University of Pretoria coach Kwanele Kopo says the success of South African coaches working elsewhere in Africa reflects the quality of the country’s football education and development structures.

Rulani Mokwena at Pyramids, Manqoba Mngqithi at Young Africans and Steve Barker at Simba SC are among the coaches who have recently taken charge of clubs on the continent.

Kopo believes their appointments are helping South African coaches gain wider recognition after often being overlooked at home.

“It’s very exciting. I think it says a lot about the quality we have in South Africa,” Kopo told journalists at the University of Pretoria.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the time you don’t get recognised by your own people; you get recognised outside.”

Mosimane’s influence

Pitso Mosimane’s move to Al Ahly in 2020 was a significant moment for South African coaches seeking opportunities beyond the country’s borders. Mosimane later encouraged fellow coaches to leave their comfort zones and pursue careers elsewhere.

Kopo said the current group was making a positive impression for both themselves and their country.

“South Africa has got good talent; it’s not just players, it’s coaches,” he said. “There are a lot of guys going outside, and I think they are holding the flag high for South Africa.

“I hope and pray that it gives confidence to club owners, not only in South Africa but to club owners generally on the continent.”

The former SuperSport United youth coach also said the ambition should extend beyond Africa, with South African coaches eventually taking charge of clubs outside the continent.

“Hopefully we can one day move out of the continent and say we’ve got a South African coach who is coaching outside of the continent,” Kopo added.

Education and development

Kopo said the growing presence of South African coaches in Africa was the result of years of investment in coaching education, South African Football Association structures and club development programmes.

He also highlighted the personal commitment shown by coaches who pursue opportunities abroad, with some receiving financial support from clubs while others fund their own development.

“I think it gives good credence to what is being done in South Africa,” Kopo said. “Credit to education programmes, SAFA and clubs doing programmes, and also coaches being able to go abroad.

“Some are funded by clubs, some are funding themselves, so there’s a hunger for learning in South Africa.”

Kopo said South African coaches had also benefited from learning from high-level coaches who had previously worked in the country.

“I think we’ve also learned from some of the best coaches who have come to South Africa, because there have been good coaches that have come to the country,” he said.

“It’s a huge plus to the ability of South Africans. It’s not just players but also people in the coaching space. Given the opportunity, South African coaches are capable of keeping the flag high.”

Fadlu Davids is also among the South African coaches to have opened doors on the continent, having worked at Simba and Raja Casablanca.