Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane has explained why coach Arthur Zwane will likely succeed as a young coach at Naturena.
Letsholonyane believes the fact that Zwane is 48 years old – regarded as a young tactician in the coaching circle, will connect with the current crop of players.
The retired Bafana Bafana midfielder is also convinced that being young will make Zwane more receptive than the much older coaches.
“It started with the shift when they [Chiefs] said the players are old, but you cannot move away from older players and bring in the youngsters only as the age gap of the current coaches is still too huge.
The relationship tends to be difficult between the players and the coaches,” Letsholonyane told the Siya crew.
“I think coach Arthur and Sheppy [Dillion Sheppard] relate better to the current generation, and it will help them bring out the best in the younger ones.
“With Zwane, he is coaching more or less the same generation; the difference isn’t that much; they relate with how these kids grow up, they can get almost to their level, it is not far off, and the players can also be free enough to go to a coach and share their issues.
“Just to make an example, Zwane can relate better to a player not having soccer boots and grew up in Soweto because that’s where he also grew up.
He knows the challenges of those players, so when you relate from that point, other things will follow into place on the field of play. “
Letsholonyane went on to add that having many young coaches in the Premiership is the route many clubs should have taken a while back.
“It’s a good opportunity for him, Zwane]. I think it’s long overdue, and it’s the shift that our football should have taken a few years back.
To say that younger coaches are now stepping up and taking over, and they relate with the current crop of players,” concluded Letsholonyane.
Zwane will start his tenure as head coach in the 2022/23 season after being appointed on a three-year deal last month.
