Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane has opened up about his decision to pursue coaching opportunities beyond South Africa.
The former Kaizer Chiefs player recently joined Zimbabwean giants FC Platinum as Thabo Senong’s assistant coach.
His appointment follows an encouraging spell with Botswana Premier League club Matebele FC last season.
Letsholonyane guided the youthful side to safety and helped preserve its top-flight status.
Moreover, his impressive work earned him a nomination for the league’s Coach of the Season award.
Several clubs reportedly expressed interest after his successful campaign in Botswana.
However, Letsholonyane chose a different path and accepted the opportunity to join FC Platinum.
International experience drives Letsholonyane’s decision
The 44-year-old believes coaching abroad will help him grow and develop professionally.
He previously worked in South Africa before taking his first major international coaching opportunity in Botswana.
Therefore, Zimbabwe represented another valuable chance to broaden his knowledge and gain fresh experience.
“As a young, growing and aspiring coach, I was coaching in my country before and last season I was in Botswana. It has always been my interest to get experience,” Letsholonyane said, as quoted by FarPost.
“Zimbabwe and FC Platinum presented an opportunity, together with my head coach Senong, to come in. As part of my journey to get international experience, I saw it fit to come and grow my career as a coach.”
His move now adds Zimbabwe to a coaching journey already spanning several southern African countries.
Before joining Matebele FC, Letsholonyane also gained experience with AmaZulu’s reserve team.
He worked with the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side while building his coaching credentials.
Meanwhile, his CAF A Licence has strengthened his prospects for future opportunities.
Although he has not coached a Betway Premiership first team, his ambitions remain clear.
FC Platinum offers another important learning opportunity
Working alongside Senong appears to have made the FC Platinum project particularly attractive.
The pair arrived at the Zimbabwean club last month but faced an unexpected delay.
They waited more than three weeks before starting work while authorities processed their permits.
Nevertheless, Letsholonyane views the experience as another important stage in his professional development.
He believes emerging coaches across the region are gradually making progress.
“For sure, I think we are in the right direction. There are always generations that take over, and we are on the right track. It’s just a matter of time,” he said.
Letsholonyane also believes African football should follow its own development journey.
He feels progress will take time but remains optimistic about the future.
“We cannot compare ourselves with Europe. They have their own timing. With us, we are getting there slowly but surely,” Letsholonyane said, according to FarPost.
The former midfielder enjoyed a successful playing career with Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana.
However, he has deliberately chosen patience and development during his coaching transition.
His journey has taken him from South Africa to Botswana and now Zimbabwe.
At FC Platinum, he can further develop his coaching knowledge alongside Senong.
The move also gives the Zimbabwean club a technical staff member with significant playing experience.
For Letsholonyane, however, the bigger picture remains his continued growth as an ambitious coach.
The post Reneilwe Letsholonyane explains decision to join FC Platinum appeared first on iHarare News.
