Hankey-born footballer, Monwabise Mange (28), is making waves in Kouga with his display of skill, knowledge, and unwavering determination, a coach that is well-known to rival teams.<\/p>\n
It is still early days for Mange, but he is a dedicated coach with huge potential and unlimited drive, and a passion to develop talent in his community.<\/p>\n
When his big dream of making it as a professional footballer did not work out, Mange went back to the drawing board, tweaking his dream. <\/p>\n
Today, he is the proud owner and coach of the Hankey Town Football Club, helping to fulfil the dreams of young local players. <\/p>\n
The club is nicknamed Ezika Sarah, in honour of Sarah Baartman, who is buried in Hankey.<\/p>\n
Where it started<\/strong> <\/p>\n \u201cGrowing up in a small farming community, no-one believed in my footballer dream,\u201d said Mange, an intern (Public Participation Unit) at Kouga Municipality who boasts a degree in Marketing Management. <\/p>\n \u201cNo-one was willing to guide me on the difficult and strenuous path of becoming a better and professional athlete.<\/p>\n \u201cThis only meant that I had to adjust the goalposts.\u201d <\/p>\n Envisioning his own football club since 2017, while still a student and working over weekends, Mange invested all he had into his dream \u2013 buying gear needed for a club, including playing kits and soccer balls.<\/p>\n Three years later he took his first step on the field as owner and coach, mentoring players of three different age groups: u\/13, u\/20, and a senior team.<\/p>\n Despite various challenges, the club won the Councillors Cup Tournament the same year, securing a spot as the league runners-up. Another highlight includes winning the Kouga Premier Top 8 Super Cup Tournament, taking home R4 000.<\/p>\n According to Mange, as a coach he endeavours to lead and instruct in a way that would complement the players. He allows players to incorporate techniques that work best for them, and that allows them to express themselves on the field.<\/p>\n \u201cWith much-needed investment we can produce brilliant footballers that will follow in the footsteps of Lucas Radebe, Itumeleng Khune and Mark Fish.\u201d<\/p>\n The future<\/strong> <\/p>\n The club now aims at reaching regional league level, and to secure a spot in the regional league.<\/p>\n They also aim at forming part of the ABC Motsepe League in 2025. <\/p>\n \u201cThe ABC Motsepe League has proven to be an important stepping stone for developing football teams.<\/p>\n \u201cTherefore, it would be a huge achievement for us to be part of the prestigious league. If we perform well within this league, the team is only one step away from semi-professional football,\u201d said Mange.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hankey-born footballer, Monwabise Mange (28), is making waves in Kouga with his display of skill, knowledge, and unwavering determination \u2013 a coach that is well-known to rival 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