Tuks young coach Motaung ready to blow sky high | Breaking News

At 38, Tlisane ‘Mabuza’ Motaung is one of the youngest head coaches in the GladAfrica Championship, but any suggestion that he or his Pretoria University players will be out of their depth in the business end of the second tier should be quickly dismissed.

Motaung, who turned 38 last Saturday, has revived Tuks and sitting in second place, just a point behind Richards Bay [43 points]; they are in with a chance to gain promotion to the topflight.

On Sunday afternoon, Tuks have a date with PSL side Royal AM in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal. Still, a lot to play for, but some may argue: little experience for Motaung.

Without an air of arrogance, the Free State-born coach doesn’t see his minimal experience in the GladAfrica as a potential obstacle in their quest for promotion.

The former Tuks player spent most of his time coaching Varsity Football, landing the Tuks job as his first senior team job in December 2020.

“I’ve said this before: there’s no coach that was born with experience, even those doing well like Pitso Mosimane, your Pep Guardiola, they were not born with experience. Someone gave them an opportunity because they have passion, dedication and the willingness to learn they’re where they are today,” Motaung told FARPost.

He credits Shaun Bartlett, who coached Tuks between 2016 and 2018, as the man who opened the door for him in coaching.

“I started coaching here at Tuks in 2012; Shaun Bartlett gave me an opportunity that gave me enough understanding and knowledge and behaviour in this professional set-up. I’ve understood the level of professionalism at this club. It gives me an edge,” he said.

He constantly gleans football wisdom from some old-hands in the game: like the Sundowns trio of Manqoba Mngqithi, Steve Khompela and Rulani Mokwena.

“I try to stay informed about new trends in the game. I talk to coaches like Manqoba, Steve Khompela and Rulani because of our partnership with Sundowns,” he said.

In July last year, Motaung was instrumental in bringing Sammy Troughton back to the club as technical director.

“I played under him when I was a student, and he has had a huge influence on how I approach my coaching, so we have an excellent understanding of how we want to play,” Motaung told the club’s website.

When the season started, the fresh-faced Motaung made it clear to his charges that they wanted to take every game as a final.

“If we have that mindset, we must challenge for any title we are faced with. We want to challenge for the league and do well in the Nedbank Cup,” Motaung told FARPost.

He doesn’t believe experience will be an impediment. “I doubt experience can be an issue for me. I believe that we’re in a position to compete for promotion,’’ Motaung said.

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