Snl24 | Gamondi To SA: ‘Move Out Of Your Comfort Zone’

Young Africans coach Miguel Gamondi

Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Gamondi has praised the trend of South African coaches accepting roles abroad, highlighting it as a crucial step out of their comfort zones and into more challenging environments.

This shift comes at a time when Gamondi perceives the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as less competitive than in previous years.

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In an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, Gamondi, currently coaching Yanga SC, shared his thoughts on the benefits of international exposure for South African coaches.

“It is positive for South African coaches as they are going out of their comfort zone to go out and test themselves against the other coaches. I am feeling very very happy when South African coaches are winning and doing well outside the country. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone and achieve good results. But it’s not just about results but learning and growing as well,” Gamondi told the Siya crew.

He cited several examples of coaches who have ventured abroad, such as Rulani Mokwena at Wydad Casablanca, Pitso Mosimane’s successful stints in Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as Fadlu Davids now being at Simba SC in Tanzania.

“Rulani Mokwena is at Wydad and Pitso (Mosimane) has done very well in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia as well. I remember I competed with him and Thomas Madigage when they were at SuperSport United and I knew he was a great.

“Steve Komphela and Manqoba Mngqithi as well are doing well. Now, I will be playing against Fadlu Davids in Tanzania as he is at Simba SC. That’s really good from South African coaches. Look at how I came to Sundowns in my first big job and did well winning the league with Neil Tovey. We need South African coaches to do that and move out of their comfort zone,” Gamondi observed.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Gamondi reminisced about the competitive nature of South African football during his tenure at Sundowns, contrasting it with the current state of the league.

“Oh, well it’s my opinion. That time football was very competitive. We had great players at Sundowns at Orlando Pirates and at Kaizer Chiefs. Those teams had big players. Players who could make things happen on the field of play.”

Gamondi also touched on the changes in player development, suggesting that the current coaching methods might be too rigid for young talent.

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“Look at players like Brian Baloyi, Andre Arendse, Surprise Moriri, Esrom Nyandoro, Lerato Chabangu and Sandile Ndlovu, to mention just a  few. Chiefs and Pirates also had their big players and football was competitive before. I don’t know what has really changed.

“I think the development coaching has also changed. They coach the youngsters as if they are professionals. Let them enjoy the game. That’s where they learn to make mistakes and they learn from those mistakes. But if you are too hard on them from an early age at development then they won’t enjoy the game and that affects their game. In my opinion that’s the problem,” the Argentinian concluded.

This insightful dialogue with Gamondi sheds light on the evolving landscape of South African football, both in terms of coaching careers and the broader competitive environment with the players. As more coaches venture abroad, it remains to be seen how their international experiences will influence the local scene upon their return or continue to shape their careers in the global football arena.

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