Reneilwe Letsholonyane faces early test as Mochudi Centre Chiefs coach

Reneilwe Letsholonyane will take charge of Mochudi Centre Chiefs for the first time when they face Tati African Football Independent Club (TAFIC) in the Botswana Premier League this weekend.

The former South Africa international, widely known as ‘Yeye’, arrived in Botswana last week to begin his new role after leaving Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League club FC Platinum, where he worked as assistant to Thabo Senong.

His appointment represents a significant opportunity at one of Botswana’s leading clubs, but the timing of the fixture leaves him with less than a week to work with his new squad.

The match has been rescheduled and will be played away from home, adding to the challenge facing Letsholonyane as he begins his Centre Chiefs tenure.

Centre Chiefs are seventh in the league after three matches, with four points separating them from leaders Sua Flamingoes FC. TAFIC are 10th and sit only one point behind their opponents.

Expectations rise at Centre Chiefs

Letsholonyane’s move follows a promising season with Matebele FC in Botswana. Under his leadership, Matebele finished 10th, improving on their position from the previous campaign.

That progress earned him a nomination for coach of the season, although the award eventually went to Sean Connor of Gaborone United.

Despite his work at Matebele, Letsholonyane could not agree a contract extension with the club. He subsequently moved to FC Platinum with Senong in July before returning to Botswana to take charge of Centre Chiefs.

The expectations at his new club are considerably greater. Centre Chiefs finished fourth in the Premier League last season and are viewed as an ambitious side, with former South Africa player Stanton Fredericks serving as their Director of Football.

The club will be expected to improve on that position and could also be targeting qualification for CAF club football next season.

Centre Chiefs have won four Premier League titles, although their most recent championship came in the 2014/15 season. Letsholonyane’s long-term task will be to help end that wait for another league trophy, beginning with the immediate challenge presented by TAFIC.

His first match will therefore offer an early indication of how quickly he can impose his ideas at a club carrying greater expectations than Matebele. However, with limited preparation time and an away fixture against opponents close to them in the standings, the opening assignment is unlikely to be straightforward.