Mikia Kalati
NEWLY appointed Kick4Life assistant coach, Bob Mafoso, says he left champions Bantu because he felt it was time to take up a new challenge as part of his growth as a young coach.
Mafoso said the prospects of working with the experienced former national team coach, Leslie Notši, was another factor that tempted him to ditch A Matšo Matebele for Kick4Life.
Notši began his coaching career at Matlama in the 90s before he went to Lioli in 2000. In between, he also coached some of the national soccer sides and has also had spells in neighbouring South Africa.
Kick4Life on Monday confirmed the appointment of Mafoso as their second in command after Notši. This ended weeks of speculation since the former Sandawana head coach handed in his resignation letter to the management of the Mafeteng based outfit.
Mafoso also previously worked as Notši’s assistant at the national under-20 team, Makoanyane XI, where they led the side into the finals of the COSAFA Cup in Zambia last year.
He was seen as the brains behind Bantu’s back-to-back league success working with head coach, James Madidilane, at the Mafeteng outfit.
Speaking with the Lesotho Times on Tuesday, Mafoso said the switch was part of his growth strategy.
“There is a long way to go in my coaching career and the idea of working with one of the most experienced and successful coaches in the country tempted me to make that switch,” Mafoso said.
“The other issue is that Kick4Life is a growing brand and I felt a new challenge would help me in what I want to achieve, which is to grow.”
Mafoso said he learnt a lot during his time with Bantu and is looking forward to a new chapter of his coaching career.
“Growth in football is not only about tactics and training sessions. It is also about management by the coach and one acquires these skills through exposure.”
He said being an assistant coach would also give him a chance to learn without pressure entirely on his shoulders.
“It gives me a better learning environment. I worked with James (Madidilane) and now I have a chance to work with a different coach which is great opportunity.
For his part, football director at Kick4Life, Chris Bullock, says his side is delighted to have enlisted the services of one of the most exciting young coaches in the country.
“We are delighted to announce that Bob Mafoso is here as the new assistant coach.
“It is obviously exciting for us to strengthen our technical team further with a good coach who has already achieved a lot in his career,” Bullock said.
