New FC Rellen coach Shakes Manyakalle.

By: Refilwe Sebola

In an exciting new chapter for FC Rellen, the club has proudly announced the appointment of Shakes Manyakalle as their head coach for the upcoming season.

Chairperson Rellen Masipa shared that this important decision was made with the hope of competing for the league championship, a dream many fans and players hold close to their hearts.

Manyakalle, originally from the Free State province, has already immersed himself in pre-season preparations, having taken on his role in early October to ensure the team is ready for the challenges of the Hollywoodbets League.

With a rich background in coaching and playing, Manyakalle is no stranger to the sport.

After spending time with Gezani Arsenal and City Sharks in the National First Division, he transitioned into coaching, where he found great success. His tenure at Mathaithai FC in the ABC Motsepe League was particularly noteworthy, as he led the team to the last sixteen of the prestigious Nedbank Cup. His journey includes valuable experiences with Bloemfontein Celtics Colts and Real Madrid in Free State from 2004 to 2022.

He also holds a coaching certificate from the South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA), giving him the tools to nurture and develop elite players in a supportive team environment. Additionally, Manyakalle had the privilege of training under the late Ted Dumitru, whose significant contributions to South African football philosophy continue to inspire many.

Manyakalle first captured attention in local football when he won an R100 000 award for a youthful Jozy United in the General Skhokho tournament at Makgakgapatje last year where he was also crowned Coach of the Tournament. His ability to uplift teams was evident at Winnerspark FC, where he skillfully guided them to secure nine points from six matches, achieving meaningful victories over historically significant clubs like Emmanuel and Giyani Happy Boys, with scores of 2-1 and 3-0 respectively.

With Coach Manyakalle at the helm, FC Rellen has a renewed sense of hope and determination, positioning themselves to make a heartfelt push for playoff qualification this season. The team, along with its dedicated supporters, is eager for what lies ahead under his compassionate leadership.