He has not called time on his playing career just yet, but Mpho Makola has started a new chapter as a coach in the lower divisions of South African football.
Currently a free agent after parting ways with Polokwane City at the end of last season, the former Orlando pirates and Cape Town City midfielder is currently in a space where he is trying to decide whether or not coaching is something he wants to do long-term. Makola is coaching SAB League side Viasport FC and, so far, is enjoying the experience.
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This is a crucial period for him as he ponders the next step in his life. But with so much experience gained from the game, including playing in both the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, Makola can certainly play a big role in guiding the next generation of stars in South African football.
"To be honest with you, I can't explain the feeling. I am not fully in the world of coaching because, for me, I just want to see if I like it. I want to see if it's something that I would do and have passion for it because it's useless to say you want to coach but you don't have the passion for it. Then you are going to be wasting your time and other people's time, so I am still trying to see if it's what I want, but I would say so far so good. I think I love it, but I still need to make a decision on it because that would mean that I am fully back in football and that's something I need to sit down and discuss with my family," Makola said to the Siya crew.
Makola admits that he is falling in love with the process at the club, after they had trials to assemble a team for him to work with.
"This came about from Tshepo Mabona. He used to be my agent at some point in time. He is my mentor and business partner now. He has always been like a father to me from a young age, ever since my first contract at Free State Stars. He came to me and said 'listen, I know you don't want anything to do with football at the moment, but there is an opportunity to buy an SAB status. The status was available, so Tshepo and a business partner of his decided to buy the status. But they didn't have a team and players, so he came to me and said I should come keep myself busy and see if I like it.
"We had trials for weeks and we assembled a team and it came together. The team is now second on the log. We were tied at some point last week with Panorama. We are not really gunning for promotion. What I really wanted to do with the team that was to get 19, 20 and 21 year old's ready for the PSL.
"I think I have fallen in love with the process, of having trials and assembling the team and getting the team ready and playing and getting the team to play the way you understand football. I am loving coaching at Viasport, but what I have learnt about coaching so far is not the same as playing. It's way too difficult to coach because you have to look after 27 or more players and their feelings. They must all be happy and the reality of it is that they are not all going to play. That alone makes it difficult for a coach."
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