Coach Mpho Maleka (far right in the front row) and Helman Mkhalele (third from the left in the back row) completed their CAF A Coaching Licence programme last Sunday.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Free State United coach Mpho Maleka is eyeing a return to the continental stage after achieving a major milestone in his coaching career by completing his CAF A Coaching Licence in Lesotho.
The former Marumo Gallants mentor completed the final phase of the programme last Sunday alongside former Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele and coach Ngoma from Bloemfontein Central University of Technology.
Former Bafana Bafana defender David Nyathi, who participated in an earlier phase of the course, could not attend the final stage.
For Maleka, the qualification is not just another certificate to hang on the wall. It represents a step towards his dream of returning to CAF interclub competitions, where his experience with Marumo Gallants opened his eyes to the demands of coaching at continental level.
His time with Gallants convinced him that he needed to upgrade his qualifications to remain competitive and meet the requirements for coaching in such competitions.
“Participating in the CAF interclub competition with Marumo Gallants was one of the biggest experiences for me. It inspired me to improve my qualifications because you need the required credentials to coach at that level,” Maleka said.
The coach also believes studying in Lesotho exposed him to different football philosophies and gave him a broader understanding of how the modern game is played and coached outside South Africa.
“Modern football has evolved, and doing my licence outside the country has given me an advantage because I got to understand how coaches from other countries view and approach the modern game,” he said.
“The CAF A Licence also allows me to coach across borders.”
Maleka is determined to use the qualification as a springboard towards bigger opportunities, with a return to African club competitions firmly on his agenda.
“I want to go back and be counted among the coaches who participate in CAF interclub competitions,” he said.
But as he celebrates his achievement, Maleka has not forgotten the people who stood behind him throughout his journey.
The coach expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to his football education, saying their support made the milestone possible.
“I am very happy with this achievement, and I am grateful to everyone who raised their hands to be part of my journey. Words cannot be enough, but saying thank you is the only way I can express my appreciation to everyone who helped me along the way.
“I am truly grateful, and may God bless them all,” he said.
He reserved special praise for his wife and children, whose support he described as extraordinary.
“Special thanks to my wife and kids. The support is out of this world,” he added.
While the CAF A Licence has opened another chapter in his career, Maleka remains focused on his immediate responsibilities at Free State United.
The team currently occupies third position on the ABC Motsepe League standings, three points behind leaders Sasolburg United, formerly known as JDR Stars, and one point behind second-placed Welkom Real Stars.
With his coaching credentials now upgraded, Maleka will be hoping that his next chapter takes him back to the African stage, where he wants to make his mark among the continent’s coaches.
Mpho Maleka (fourth from the left) and Helman Mkhalele (first from the left) after completing their CAF A Coaching Licence programme last Sunday.