Mamelodi Sundowns legend Isaac Shai is ready for a comeback to competitive football to give back as a coach through the extensive knowledge he has of the beautiful game.
Having retired in 2004 after playing only for Sundowns in his professional career that spanned over 12 years, Shai spent almost two decades serving as a coach in the youth ranks at the Chloorkop outfit where he helped to nurture the talents of the future generations.
Few months after leaving the Brazilians, the former left-back is ready for a return to continue where he left off with developing the next Shais of this world, having spent some time equipping himself with more knowledge in line with the latest trends of modern football.
The Good
"I am looking forward to making a comeback and contributing to the development of football in the country. I have gained so much experience in football over the years both as a player and as a coach. I have been a coach in Mamelodi Sundowns' youth ranks for over 20 years and there is a lot that I can contribute to the development of the game to help the up-and-coming players. I have recently completed my CAF C license because lately I have been keeping myself busy with adding the necessary qualifications to what I already have in line with the latest trends of modern football as that is very important in this profession," said Shai.
The Bad
"I cannot just sit at home and expect to go to the grave with the knowledge that I have as that would be selfish and depriving of the talented kids who should be benefiting from it. I have so much experience in football and in life which should benefit the younger ones instead of me sitting and doing nothing about it, otherwise why would I have bothered learning about the game all these years? In life, there are ups and downs as well as the challenges that one has had to face, and it is important that we go out there and teach the current and future generations of footballers about those," he added.
The Ugly
"It would be sad if as coaches and former players we don't do anything to help the up-and-coming players to realise their dreams as that would mean that we have failed them. It is good that people still remember us and stop us in the streets, and it shows that they see value in us and that's why I am willing to serve," he said.
"Advice to aspiring footballers"
"My advice to aspiring footballers out there is that they should keep on dreaming as dreams do come true. I might have disappeared from the limelight after parting ways with Sundowns but I wasn't just sitting and doing nothing. I embarked on a journey to expand my coaching knowledge and I am happy with the progress I have made. Yes, it is not an easy journey but it becomes very nice and enjoyable when you reap the rewards through the players that you have managed to produce. My message to fellow coaches is that let's keep on cooking with these younger ones so that they can be better role models and human beings in the years to come," concluded Shai.
What memories do you have of Isaac Shai at Sundowns?
