Orlando Pirates: Benson Mhlongo urges Mxolisi Mngomezulu to steer clear of ‘politics’

Former Orlando Pirates assistant coach Benson Mhlongo has advised Mxolisi Mngomezulu to remain focused and respect the club’s owners after reportedly moving into a coaching role on the Soweto giants’ technical bench.

Mngomezulu is believed to have been promoted following Mandla Ncikazi’s departure for the head coach’s position at Golden Arrows. Orlando Pirates’ official matchday team sheets have listed Mngomezulu as “technical staff”, with Rayaan Jacobs named as assistant to Abdeslam Ouaddou.

The move represents a progression for Mngomezulu, who is already well established within the club. He has worked as a talent scout and performance analyst, and holds a CAF A coaching licence that allows him to take his place on the bench during the upcoming CAF Champions League group stage matches.

Mhlongo, who knows Mngomezulu from their time in Alexandra, said his former colleague had earned the opportunity through years of work in football.

“Mxolisi is my brother from Alexandra. He is a very qualified coach. He produced players from Alexandra that are now playing in the PSL, and he promoted teams from Alexandra. I have known him since he was playing football, but he ventured into coaching very early,” Mhlongo told KickOff.

Mngomezulu joined Orlando Pirates in 2017 while Mhlongo was involved with the Diski Challenge team. He initially worked as a video analyst before moving into scouting and later becoming the club’s manager of youth football.

“He joined Pirates as an analyst in 2017 when I was with the Diski [Challenge] team. He was a video analyst, analysing games. He was promoted into scouting. At one stage, he was the manager of youth football at Pirates,” Mhlongo said.

“So, slowly but surely, he’s been through the ranks. He’s been doing the job behind the scenes.”

Mhlongo also praised Orlando Pirates chairman Nkosana and Mpumi Khoza for promoting people from within the club, saying he had personally witnessed Mngomezulu’s commitment at youth tournaments.

“To see him up there, I have to say hats off to chairman Nkosana and Mpumi Khoza. They do upgrade people. I have worked with Mxolisi, and I have personally seen his work. At every youth tournament happening around you, you will find Mxolisi there,” he said.

However, Mhlongo warned Mngomezulu against becoming caught up in internal disputes, drawing on his own experience at the club.

“My advice to him, he must never be involved in politics. He must always remember who hired him at the first place. Nkosana and Mpumi are the people who brought him to Pirates,” he said.

“That’s where we lost it, some of us. We forget who employed us and think we know better than the owners of the team. We learn as we grow up.”

Mhlongo added: “I was happy when I was signed, but when I was inside, I thought I knew about them. I wish for Mxolisi not to fall into the trap. Always respect the people who brought you to the club.”