Lakay urges South Africa to appoint experienced coach for Under-23s

Former Pirates midfielder Jainudeen Lakay believes South Africa’s Under-23 side needs a seasoned coaching team to help the players fulfil their potential ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

The team impressed in two friendly matches against Algeria over the past week, with assistant coach Karabo Mogudi taking charge in the absence of Raymond Mdaka. South Africa won the opening match 4-1 before the sides drew 1-1 in the second, with both games played at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Despite the encouraging results, Lakay says more experience is needed in the coaching department.

“I think there’s some work that needs to be done in the coaching department. We need to get guys who’ve been in this game for a long time, guys that have done a lot in this game,” Lakay, previously known as Jason Lakay, told KickOff.

He pointed to the return of Pitso Mosimane to Bafana Bafana as evidence that South African coaches have recognised the importance of greater honesty and selecting players who deserve to represent the national team.

“You can see with the return of Pitso Mosimane to Bafana Bafana that local coaches have now realised what we were missing in the past is honesty and selecting the right players or deserving players,” he said.

Lakay also suggested that former South African internationals from his generation should be given opportunities within the Under-23 set-up. He specifically named Steve Lekoelea as a possible assistant coach.

“I think the guys who played in my era should be allowed to coach in the Under-23. Steve Lekoelea… maybe as an assistant coach, at least,” he added.

The former midfielder believes assistant coaches can play a particularly important role in helping players express themselves.

“Sometimes it’s the assistant coaches that bring out the best in players and not the head coach. Sometimes players are open to talk to the assistant coach when the head coach is not watching,” Lakay said.

He added: “The national team’s coaches should be former South African internationals, especially the assistant coaches.”

Lakay praised the way the current squad has been developing as a collective, while acknowledging that he still has reservations about some of the selections.

“I like how the boys are playing more as a team, although there is some room for improvement when it comes to players selected,” he said.

The former Pirates player described the recent matches as a positive beginning and urged the squad to draw strength from its diversity.

“It’s a start. It shows we’re getting somewhere. More diversity, different hearts make a difference. These players must embrace that,” he said.