Sekhukhune United coach Papi Zothwane wants to use his experience as a former Premier Soccer League and Bafana Bafana star to inspire the next generation, insisting his ambition is to help his players achieve what he and many of his peers could not.
Zothwane enjoyed a playing career at the highest level of South African football and is now determined to pass on his knowledge to the next generation, alongside other former players who have transitioned into coaching.
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The Sekhukhune mentor admits that some of his current players were not even born during his playing days, but believes the experienced members of his squad can help them understand the level he reached during his career.
Rather than dwelling on his own achievements, however, Zothwane is focused on ensuring his players surpass him, with the ultimate goal of seeing them represent Bafana Bafana, provide for their families and secure opportunities overseas, using the most recent example of Relebohile Mofokeng.
“Unfortunately, some of them were not born when I was playing, but through the experienced players that are in the team, they always tell them what kind of player I was,” Zothwane to iDiski Times.
“I’m not a coach who speaks about themselves, but I want to help these players become better than me, Paulus, Teko and many other players that came before them.
“I want to see them playing in the national team, making a difference in their lives, taking care of their families and making it abroad. Rele [Mofokeng] has done it, but unfortunately, us, with the talent we had, we couldn’t.”
The former PSL star also believes having coaches who have experienced the demands of professional football first-hand can be a major source of motivation for young players.
However, Zothwane insists that the responsibility ultimately rests with his squad to translate the lessons they receive on the training ground into performances on matchday.
“But it motivates them to be coached by people who played the game, who know what they are talking about. It can only motivate them because us, we can only talk, but it’s about them implementing whatever we are saying,” he added.
Zothwane acknowledged that Sekhukhune are still some way from reaching the level he expects, but believes the players have responded positively to his methods as they continue to work towards their objectives.
“So far, they have responded positively to how we want them to play. Unfortunately, we are not where we want to be, but in terms of the result, in terms of the progress, we are slowly getting there,” he concluded.
“It must be a motivation to them, to be coached by those who have played the game before.”