Soccer coach Gezani Mashaba’s name is synonymous with soccer
Hail the legendary coach Gezani Mashaba
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The name Gezani Mashaba should be spelt soccer.
The Giyani based soccer coach has done so much for soccer, as a player, coach and now also as a talent scout such that he has become a legend.
It is not out of place to suggest Coach Gezani Mashaba lives for soccer.
He has produced many soccer players from his neck of the woods in the Giyani area, some of whom beat the odds to become respected professional players.
They include Gladwin Shitolo who played for Jomo Cosmos, Orlando Pirates and is now at Golden arrow.
The others include such names as Rhulani Victor Nghunyule who played for Witbank spurs, Dynamos and Bidvest Wits, Wiseman Maluleke who played for several teams including Polokwane City and Kulani Mabasa who played for Jomo Cosmos, Mbelembele Cosmos in Swaziland and another team in Vietnam.
“There are many youngsters whom I have linked up with several teams around the country after I had the time to assess them and they are doing well,” he said.
According to the information at The Village Voice’s disposal, the hard working coach has sent 36 players who are now playing at Far East Milano Stars Academy in Mamelodi west Pretoria, 15 players playing for Kagiso Sports School of excellence in Kempton Park in Gauteng and 27 players who were recently selected at Malamulele stadium on 18 October will join Kagiso Academy in January.
Shitolo said in a clip recently that he owes his career to the selflessness of coach Mashaba.
“He is the one who laid a foundation to what I have become,” said Shitolo.
His hard work has seemingly not gone unnoticed.
A foundation at Xikukwani area in Giyani hopes to honour him while he is alive.
“We of Xikukwani Crime Prevention Sports Foundation are going to print T-shirts with the picture of Mr Mashaba, our legend. The event is in the form of a soccer tournament where we are going to give prizes to positions one and two. All participating teams will receive soccer balls. The tournament will be held on December 31, “said the statement.
Mrs Hlayisi from Mhinga said she approached Mrs Mashaba after she got his numbers from a woman at Nkomo whose son had been selected to join an academy in Pretoria.
In a clip to him: “Although you did not know me, you were easy to talk to. Now my son’s future is secured through your assistance,” she said before adding:” “You are born for a purpose and I thank God for you because you have realised the purpose you were born for and you are fulfilling it. May God bless you man of God.”
Coach Gezani Mashaba’s football career can be traced back to 1970 when he joined the high riding Mudabula based Tlangelani Flying’s junior team as a 6 year old.
As a fast paced youngster and very strong, he was nicknamed Tiger.
The family moved to Xikukwani in the Greater Giyani area,
At 22 years in 1986, he had made his name in the new environment such that he was coach of Xikukwani Black Rovers.
At the same time he was coach of Xikukwani Primary under 13 as well of the coach of Mashengani Primary school under 15.
In 1996, he became Mopani Schools Sports secretary as well as the Mopani Schools sports development officer.
He participated in the provincial squad both in Safa and in school sports.
He has won many awards and trophies.
He is serving football in different capacities, including being the pioneer of the Greater Giyani Mayor’s Cup.
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