Mhofu takes on ‘The Gloved One’

South African FA Cup semi-finals this weekend against massive odds.
He has the same confidence and charisma as the Real Madrid manager, the same background of never having played top-class football and the same ability to attract media attention.
While Mourinho and controversy have been natural bedfellows for many seasons in England, Italy and Spain, Chokoe uses a grey, worn, right-hand leather glove to fascinate South African football followers.
Here is a dashing 28-year-old law graduate in a dark, striped suit, a light green check shirt, a yellow tie, shoes with a shine any soldier would be proud of, and that glove.
As Chokoe plots the downfall of second-tier Black Leopards tomorrow at Peter Mokaba Stadium in northern city Polokwane, he has a simple explanation for his strange sartorial accessory.
“I use it to wipe perspiration during matches,” he said, discounting countless media and public theories that within the glove lies muti (traditional magic) that will assist in the downfall of rivals.
While Mourinho once acted as an interpreter at Barcelona for the late English coach Sir Bobby Robson, Chokoe regularly visits a library near Polokwane to improve his football knowledge.
Sir Alex Ferguson may be surprised to know, but Sello cut his coaching teeth with Manchester United.
To be precise, an under-12 team in the northern Limpopo province that copied the name of the famous Old Trafford club.
His break came after the 2010 World Cup when Baroka owner-cum-businessman Khurishi Mphahlele gave him the reigns with a dream of climbing two tiers to the Premiership within three seasons.
It seemed a ridiculously tall order for a squad of unknowns who play home matches on a hard, uneven, part-grass, part-dirt pitch in a village 60 kilometres from Polokwane.
But after eliminating Premiership pair Moroka Swallows and 12-time cup holders Kaizer Chiefs in the last two rounds, Baroka are planning to play Orlando Pirates in the May 28 final.
Former African champions Pirates host relegation-bound Premiership side Mpumalanga Black Aces today in the first semi-final at iconic Orlando Stadium – home of South African football during the apartheid era.
How has Chokoe transformed his mix of one footballer with Premiership experience, a host of twentysomethings and a splattering of schoolboys into a side capable of stunning a Chiefs side packed with national team stars?
“You have to win respect and that comes from doing the correct things on the training ground. It is all about making the footballers understand what you want them to do,” he answers matter-of-factly.
While Baroka have eyes only for the South African FA Cup trophy, Leopards preparations have been distracted by a row that threatens to derail hopes of regaining Premiership status lost several seasons ago.
After qualifying for play-offs that can lead to a place in the richest African national football championship, Leopards were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player and dropped out of contention pending an appeal.
Coached by former Zimbabwe star Sunday Chidzambwa, Leopards boast better footballers than Baroka and are logical favourites to become party poopers and end the fairytale Cup run, but try telling that to the “Gloved One”. – AFP.