Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs striker Katlego Mphela was removed to tears after receiving a heartfelt message from his former coach Pitso Mosimane, saying the South African tactician is like a father figure to him.
Mphela, 38, who also played for SuperSport United and Royal Eagles in South Africa, while playing for Strasbourg and Reims in France, hung up his boots in 2019 but recently made headlines when he shared that he’s started a new job as car salesman.
While sections of South African football fans had criticised Mphela for the career switch, Mosimane had sent him a message of support on Metro FM, and also motivated him to do his coaching badges.
And the words of his former coach hit right home for Mphela, who was left close to tears by the message from his former mentor.
“I never expected this, especially from coach Pitso,” he said on Sports Night Amplified.
“I know he’s busy, and obviously the things he said about and our relationship… We’ve come a long way.
“I think he launched me, because people still didn’t know about me when I was still in France.
“I think it’s funny how met him. I was called up for COSAFA and it was my first camp and he knew I was in the building and I was surprised and then that’s when he said ‘if ever you think about coming back and play professional football, just give me a call’.
“When things didn’t go my way in France, I gave him a call and the same night I was on a flight to join him at SuperSport.
“And I think he’s someone that I owe my life too. Because you also know that when things go well in the national team, he was always there for me, and he kept his words and he got what he got and he was always very supportive of me – he is like a father figure to me, actually because we also spoke about life and a lot of things.
“To be honest, he also tried to advice me about life. Maybe if I’d listen to him I could’ve been more than what I am now.”
