Coaches should analyse and understand players, says Khaya coach
Reigning Lingelethu LFA coach of the year Anelani Bungane, 30, is on a mission.
He wants to be one of the serious role players in developing future football stars. And, that is no exaggeration because, after all, he has all the credentials. As they say, he has earned his stripes.
Bungane is currently programme manager at Khayelitsha-based Amandla Edufootball programme, as well as the coach at Y2K FC.
Both his roles allow him to work directly with youngsters, which means he already is one of those serious role players when it comes to grassroots football and development.
His team, Y2K is currently playing in the Lingelethu LFA, in Site C. Last year they were playing in that LFA’s Mvela League, which they went on to win. They are currently in the Super Division.
Born in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, Bungane says he comes from a sporting family. His father, Ntobeko Nkatshu, also played football. He said that’s where he inherited his love for the “beautiful game”.
“My proudest moments in football came when I was selected to be part of the team that represented the Amathole Municipality in Easter Cape. Winning the league with Y2K and going to the SAB League play-offs were also special moments for me,” he said.
He was also named 2021 coach of the season by the Lingelethu LFA.
He said there is a lot for coaches to work with, in terms of talent. All that is needed is patience and dedication on the side of the coaches.
“There is a lot of talent in Cape Town but the problem is that there are no opportunities for the youngsters. Yes, we have teams in high divisions but those teams don’t send their scouts to watch LFA games. It’s sad,” he said.
“I think at grassroots level we as coaches should focus more on the development side of players. I feel like we are cheating the development of players because we want completed players. We don't want to develop players. As coaches we need to develop players that can solve problems on and off the field without violence. I understand players that we coach come from different backgrounds.”
He believes that the country still has what it takes to be one of Africa’s powerhouse again. All we need is the right tools and the right mentality, he says.
“We as coaches need to understand people, to analyse them so that we can understand how we can support them, both on and off the field. We need to put people/children before the task.Sometimes our relationship, as coaches, with players is not strong enough, we know our players as players, not as human beings,” he said.
He said his future goals include getting his coaching badges and studying sport science.