New Cape Town City assistant coach Aaron 'Mbazo' Mokoena says it was Thabo Senong who got him into coaching.
Mokoena, who is the most capped Bafana Bafana player with 107 appearances, was initially more interested in becoming a scout, but SA U-20 coach Senong persuaded him to consider a coaching career.
"When I was still playing I used to say I won't be a coach. I imagined myself as a scout after retiring or someone who's looking after my businesses. All that changed one day I had a chat with coach Thabo," Mokoena told Sowetan.
"Thabo convinced me. He said, 'look, I didn't play football at the highest level like you but I am a coach... coaching should be for you guys'. That stuck with me for a very long time. Those words made me realise that football needs me."
Mokoena also revealed that he worked with CTC coach Jan Olde Riekerink during his time at Ajax Amsterdam between 1999 and 2000, which helped him secure the assistant coaching gig with the Mother City outfit.
He added: "We had an induction long ago, before the season started, with the chairman [John Comitis] and the coach [Riekerink]. I worked with the coach 23 years ago at Ajax and that contributed a lot to me coming here, but also I have a good relationship with Mr Comitis.
"My plan is to add value to the team and grow in coaching. Of course I'd want to be a head coach in future, but at the moment I want to learn and grow."
- TEAMtalk media
