MOTHERWELL-BASED Volcano LFC chairperson and head coach, Mzuvukile Khesi, reflected on the path he had taken to achieve success as a sports coach.
Khesi said that, as a learner at Diaz Farm School in Seaview, he played soccer as a goalkeeper, cricket as a bowler, rugby as a flank and a wing and took part in athletics.
He said that he played as a goalkeeper for juniors of the local side, City Professionals FC. He informed PE Express that he was motivated and encouraged by his father to take part in sport.
Khesi explains, “My dad was my pillar of strength who rendered an unwavering support to me, as far as sport was concerned. He played for Summer Rose RFC, but he passed away when I was 12 years old. I did not give up but I continued taking part in sport.”
His home relocated to Port Elizabeth and he attended school at Loyiso High School in Zwide. He played cricket at his school and played rugby for Spring Rose RFC second team as a flank and a wing.
He said he enjoyed playing in front of Cavalla, as Spring Rose RFC is affectionately called by their supporters. He stated that Rose was his home where he learnt a lot about becoming a coach.
In 2015, Khesi established Volcano LFC at Motherwell NU 9. He said that the girls who joined the club had never played football before. Khesi took Volcano LFC from nowhere to become SAFA Nelson Mandela Bay Women’s Regional League champions, who won the promotional play-offs in February 2020.
Khesi said, “I decided to establish Volcano LFC because I could see that girls were neglected (in terms of access to soccer). It was not easy to start a ladies’ team because they are used to playing netball.
“I told myself that I have to be strong and give my team time. Sometimes things did not go the way we had planned. Hence, I appeal to other coaches that they should not give up when things that they have planned fail,” he said.
“Instead of giving up, I became stronger and stronger. My passion for sport pays dividends because my team campaigns in Sasol League.
“It took us just five years to achieve my goal of playing top flight football since our club’s inception.
“Coaches must practise what they preach. Goals are achieved by those who work very hard. Equal treatment is of paramount importance in the team,” Khesi said.
