Johannesburg – A big reshuffle is expected at Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns as they steam ahead with their preparations for the new season.
The mooted changes are part of a plan to streamline their operations and to make 11-time PSL winners more invincible and unstoppable on the field of play.
Current assistant coach Steve Komphela is now earmarked for the technical director role and to head the youth development structures.
Long-serving captain and midfield workhorse Hlompho Kekana will be persuaded to join Komphela in this new task since he is no longer getting much game time on the pitch.
Manqoba Mngqithi will remain as head coach and with Rhulani Mokwena becoming his full-time assistant.
“The structure with the three coaches was rather dense and heavy and the club bosses were no longer favouring it as the season went,” said a well-placed Sundowns insider.
“They believe that Manqoba and Rhulani can work easily together in making the fi rst team squad more formidable. They want Komphela to focus on the technical aspects because he is good when it comes to working with young players. These changes could help simplify operations within the club.”
He added: “You must remember that with Hlompho, age is no longer on his side and he did not play a lot of matches last season. So, it makes sense for the club to offer him another role because they value his long service and loyalty to the club.”
This could mean that the 36-year-old Kekana, a former Bafana Bafana, Black Leopards and Bloemfontein Celtic star may want to continue playing elsewhere and he may want to leave the Brazilians after a decade-long, trophy-laden stay with the Brazilians. He joined Sundowns the same year with Pitso Mosimane and the two have enjoyed great success, winning all the PSL trophies on offer and also the historic CAF Champions League in 2016.
On the other hand, Komphela has been strongly linked with a move to Orlando Pirates, where he may reunite with his former Golden Arrows colleague Mandla Ncikazi.
Ncikazi was unveiled by the Buccaneers last week, even though there was no clarity regarding his role at the Sea Robbers.
Sundowns manager Yogesh Singh was cagey when approached for comment. “I do not know where you are getting your information from but Steve Komphela was part of a successful technical team.
“Even the Hlompho Kekana part, as far as I know, there are no changes in the technical team,” Sing said.
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