MOTHERWELL-BASED side Valencia FC’s head coach, Zola Chacklass Zuzile, believes that coaches should play phenomenal roles for soccer players.
Zuzile stated that with the coaches concentrating only on good results they failed to help develop talented young players’ skills.
Zuzile also believes that the influence of coaches plays an immense role in the players’ lives. He stated that the main responsibility and role of each coach is to equip the players with life skills.
“Our boys lack passion for sport and they show less interest to succeed. Some players do not take sport seriously,” said Zuzile.
The Grahamstown-born coach stated that he started to play football when he was eight years. He played for the Kwazakhele side, Atlantic City FC, as a right back.
Zuzile commended his head coach, Zandisile Mlungwana Moli, who instilled discipline in him. He said that coach Moli, who is affectionately known as Cosmo, was his mentor.
He said, “Coach Moli emphasised that ‘a player must always be clean and disciplined. He motivated and supported when our side Atlantic City known as Amavondoyi lost the games. He lifted our spirit when it was down. I think coaches need to show players the right direction. It must not end up in the field of play. The good influence of coaches helps the players to realise their dreams. Today players just play for the sake of playing. Coaches must be everything to the players. Their attitude as coaches changes the lives of players.”
Zuzile played for local sides, PE Tigers and Rainbow Stars, that campaigned in the Vodacom League which is now called ABC Motsepe League. He also played for Rainbow Stars in the Mvelaphanda League, a National First Division.
He succeeded in forming a team during PSL side Bush Bucks’ trials in Mthatha.
His dreams of becoming a professional player were shattered after his father told him that he should pursue his studies instead.
“The coaches must give players a chance to study their books. A sportsman without education will suffer the consequences.
“Education plays a paramount role for any individual. Our coaches must make sure that players put education first.
“I am the head coach of Valencia, which is one of MOFA successful teams. I guided Valencia to win MOFA Heineken Big Daddy’s Build It Easter Tournament. My wish is to run a juniors’ tournament in partnership with MOFA. That is my way of ploughing back to my community. I want to thank everyone who supported me from childhood up until now,” concluded Zuzile.
