SHINING Stars FC’s former skipper and head coach, Mxolisi Trevor Kemele, told PE Express that a good relationship between a coach and players helps the team perform better.
Kemele was born in Emakhaleni, Kwazakhele and studied at Ilitha Lower Primary School, Matodlana Higher Primary School, now known as Sipho Hashe Primary School, and Masibambane High School, where he matriculated.
He started playing football at Shining Stars FC under Bennett Scara Makunga, who coached him from the junior ranks to the senior team and revealed that Makunga was one of the best players Shining Stars had ever produced.
Kemele said Makunga treated every player equally and he was like their parent.
“We had about eight u/16 players who were promoted to the senior team by Makunga. When things did not go right with some of our senior players, Scara gave us a chance to showcase our talents.
“We won the (ZAFA) First Division trophy, under coach Makunga, who elected me as the senior team skipper,” Kemele said.
“Then our club affiliated with Zwide Football Association (ZWIFA), where we campaigned in the First Division, which we won convincingly.
“Our striker, Vuyani Pasiya, scored 131 goals and we won the league.
“Our players had a common goal, (together) with our coach, at all times.
“Our coach had a good understanding of the players and that built a strong bond among us.”
Shining Stars performed very well in the ZWIFA Premier League under Kemele and Makunga’s leadership, although they were the league runners-up. They defeated Zwide Celtics FC during the ZWIFA Top 8 competition finals in 2006.
Kemele also stated that his side won many competitions and league trophies under coach Makunga and under his leadership.
As time went, coach Makunga had many other commitments and had relocated to another place and Kemele became the senior team coach.
He said, “(In my first season) as head coach, Stars ended the league in the second place, but I managed to guide the club to win many knockout competitions in ZWIFA.
“I learnt a lot of good things from Makunga. I also had a healthy relationship with the players. I would like to urge the young coaches to do the coaching courses because there are lots of opportunities for them today.”
Kemele played for Eleven Angels, who campaigned in the Vodacom League which is now the ABC Motsepe League.
He played for ZAFA squad, under coach Advocate Goba and ZWIFA squad, under coach Makunga.
He thanked Vuyo Dolosi, a head coach of Addo side United Brothers, whom he also played for, coach Makunga and Eddie Dyaloyi, Eleven Angels coach, Madiba Mboxela and Goba for helping him develop his skills.
