After spending almost two years out of coaching action, well-travelled coach Thabo Senong says he is burning with fire in his belly, and ready to finally return to the dugout doing what he loves most.
Senong was last on the touchline during the 2023-2024 season, when he was the assistant coach at Singida Fountain Gate in Tanzania, before later being promoted to the head coach role.
The 45-year-old has coached the likes of Orlando Pirates at a developmental level, the SA U20 national team, the Lesotho men’s senior national team, and served as the Sekhukhune United assistant coach.
Speaking to Sunday World after the final day of the Engen Champ of Champs youth tournament in Pretoria recently, Senong expressed his ambition of returning to coaching full-time, and he will grab the opportunity to be on the touchline once again with both hands.
“Absolutely, I am planning on going back to coaching full-time. Inasmuch as I’m still involved now in coaching education, conducting courses, workshops, and doing some work in analysis, I am looking forward to being back on the dugout soon,” Senong said.
“I am sure a coaching opportunity will come, and when it does, I will grab it with both hands because I’ve never doubted my passion or my abilities.
“And whenever I work with a project or a team, the results are always there to be seen. Whether it’s player development or improving players and getting results, my work speaks for itself. So, I am ready to go back to coaching, and something will open up very soon.”
With the Tanzanian Football League being his last coaching destination, Senong encouraged more South Africans to explore the league and follow the footsteps of coach Fadlu Davids, former Mamelodi Sundowns duo Neo Maema and Rushine De Reuck.
“I want to encourage more of our players to consider playing in these fast-growing leagues around the continent. The Tanzanian league is in the top 10 now on the continent.
“So, I want to emphasise that our players need to consider playing abroad because it only helps them to grow holistically, and they can even be considered for Bafana Bafana, but also they will have a satisfying journey as footballers, having played across borders as well,” he added.
