adminAaron Dube in Johannesburg, South Africa
FORMER Eagles FC player Jeyi Sibanda is now nurturing talent in Pretoria. He says that way he is helping children discover their talents and stop them from ending up in the streets. Sibanda who started playing the beautiful game in the mid 1980s, still praises the standard of football of then. He says it does not compare to today’s game where players are chasing money.
He says the players lack proper skills and composure.
Sibanda went to South Africa in 2003.
After receiving his work permit a few years ago, he started coaching.
He was introduced to coaching by his long time football friend Kenneth Phuthi who also advised him to work with juniors.
Sibanda told Chronicle Sport: “As a striker my job was to score goals and entertain people.
“At the moment I’m busy teaching kids at schools and in parks in Pretoria. The response is very good, teachers and parents appreciate my coaching skills and they allow their children to attend my training sessions which are mainly after hours and during weekends.”
Sibanda said: “What I teach them is that they must always play football from the heart and know that today’s football is a mind-game meaning they must study their opponent carefully.”
Sibanda holds a Level Two qualification from Ambassadors in Sports of Johannesburg.
He trains locals and Zimbabweans at Sunnyside Primary School, Pretoria Primary and Arcadia Shepherds.
He has been training children since 2009.
The former player says there is something special hidden about the game. He believes one has to stick to African flair, to adapt quickly to the style of play the coaches need.
He added: “The kids must not be carried away by gadgets and fashion. They must be disciplined and always aim higher.
“The competition is high, these kids love football and they are training under world class facilities,” he said.
Sibanda played alongside Boy Ndlovu, the late Victor Moonsammy, Max Makanza, Asani Karigeni, Richard Ndlovu and Stoneshead Moyo.
He retired in 1995. Together with Moonsamy he played for Ndola FC in 1997, a team based in Iminyela, Bulawayo which played some attractive social football at some stage.
He is a qualified fitter and turner and worked at Bosal-CA in Bulawayo.
He is running a fruit and vegetable shop and a phone shop in Sunnyside, Pretoria.
Sibanda still dreams of coaching professionally.
“Believe me after acquiring necessary experience I will be heading for bigger things in the Absa Premier Soccer League. My long term goal is to coach back home starting with youth national teams,” he said.
Online Reporter