Former SuperSport United youth coach Kwanele Kopo who’s now a Chippa United co-coach alongside Thabo September is happy that he finally got recognised in the Premier Soccer League.
Kopo is known for his work youth football by many South African football lovers, as he was a SuperSport United development coach before taking over as SA U23 head coach.
The former Pretoria Callies head coach expressed his gratitude to Chippa Mpengesi for finally giving him an opportunity in the DStv Premiership, saying he’s just as qualified as some of his peers.
“Without being arrogant or anything, I think it’s a reflection of our country and how football is in our country,” Kopo told the media.
“I always say to people ‘in 2004, I was an assistant coach to Pitso Mosimane when he first started’. I had the same opportunity Rulani [Mokwena] had when he first started.
“It’s about people believing, I think it comes down to that, people believing that you can do the job. Fortunately I have an experience of having worked with youth, I believe I created a very good profile with youth players, producing young players.
“I have experience of having worked in the PSL with Pitso, coach Cavin Johnson as his assistant, with Stuart Baxter but like they say ‘rather later than never’. Maybe the time had to be now to gain the experience with different personalities.
“Some players start playing professional at 26/27, I’m taking the head-coaching batton over 40, I appreciate the opportunity, I really have to be thankful to Chippa, they’ve been chasing me for a while to come down.
“It’s good to see that somebody sees something – not just a youth coach but a highly qualified coach, same qualifications as many other coaches in the PSL, coach Pitso, coach Manqoba [Mngqithi], coach Steve [Komphela], we shared the same classes.
“But I think it’s a big opportunity and I’m thankful to Chippa and the chairman and the board. And hopefully we can give back to South African Football, not just Chippa United but to South African football for the faith they have put in us.”
