Former Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies forward, Andisiwe Mgcoyi is spreading her wings and has entered a new chapter in her life after spending years at the Chloorkop outfit.
The former Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana player has just been appointed head coach of the University of Johannesburg’s Women’s 2nd team that features in the Sasol League. Not only that, but she will be working closely with Nthabeleng Modiko, the head coach of the institution’s first ladies team and assistant coach Delisile Mbatha – Mgcoyi is the second assistant coach.
“This is a huge step in my career. I will continue to grow and share my experience with the players. I am grateful for the opportunity,” Mgcoyi told CentreCircle.online
These appointments come side by side with her completing her CAF B Coaching Licence just a few days ago.
The 37 year old goes into these roles armed with a lot experience both on the playing and coaching spaces.
She used to be on the books of amateur sides Red Eagles and Cape Town Roses before joining Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in 2012.
Not one to be satisfied with being in one spot, she went abroad and played in Slovakia (Nove Zamky), Hungary (Dorogi Diofa), Germany (FC Saarbrucken) and Albania (KF Apolonia Fier).
Mgcoyi left Sundowns Ladies under a cloud, with neither her nor the club releasing information about what transpired.
“To be honest, every story has an ending, and I can’t say whether I’m happy or sad,” said Mgcoyi.
During her time at the Tshwane outfit, she was part of the treble winning team of 2023 where they won the COSAFA Women’s Championship, the CAF Women’s Champions League as well as the Hollywoodbets Super League. She also lifted the league title five seasons in a row – 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
On the national front, Mgcoyi has appeared 42 times for country with 16 goals to her name.
Her managerial role got off to a flying start as she led her Sundowns Ladies youth team to the Gauteng Women’s Development League title in 2023 and 2024 while still playing.
Mgcoyi appears to have a bright future in coaching as she already has the Engen Champ of Champs and Engen Knockout Challenge titles under her belt – and was named Coach of the Tournament in both competitions in 2024.
CentreCircle.online caught up with Mgcoyi and this is what she had to say:
Congratulations on your appointment at UJ Ladies – how are you feeling?
To be honest, it’s a great feeling because becoming a university coach was one of the goals I set for myself when I started my CAF B Licence. After coaching at both club and school level, I have always wanted to take the next step and coach at university level.
What role will you play at UJ – which teams?
I will be the Head Coach of the Women’s 2nd Team, which competes in the Sasol League – I will play a major role in developing the next generation of players who will represent the Women’s 1st Team in the Hollywoodbets Super League and Varsity Football competitions in the future. By extension, I’ll be working closely with Head Coach Nthabeleng ‘Dunga’ Modiko and assistant Coach Delisile Mbatha in the first team that plays in the HSL.
How did the move come about?
A friend of mine sent me the post and encouraged me to apply, even though I had doubts. A lot of people believed in me, and that motivated me to take the opportunity – and the rest is history.
What does this mean for your coaching career?
This is a huge step in my career. I will continue to grow, share my experience with the players, and help them reach their full potential. I am grateful for the opportunity because it shows that management believes in me and in what I can bring as a coach.
Speaking of your coaching career, you have just graduated with a CAF B Coaching Licence – this is huge.
In football, we never stop learning. Completing my CAF B Licence means more doors will start opening, and my coaching career is broadening.
What next then for you in terms of qualifications
I would like to explore UEFA licences to gain more knowledge about what is happening on the European scene. I have learnt a lot since starting my CAF D, C, and B Licences. However, I plan to complete my CAF A Licence and eventually the Pro Licence in the future.
How important is this qualification, especially looking at the fact that you are a former player.
This qualification is important to me because playing and coaching are two completely different aspects of the game. The transition requires understanding the game from a different perspective. I cannot rely only on my previous playing experience. Completing my licences has allowed me to understand the game more deeply from a coaching point of view.
You are also a coach at ESCA – tell us about it?
I am currently an attacking specialist coach at ESCA – Sports Institute Football Coaching & Performance – and I also coach a mixed team of boys and girls. Mgcoyi is surrounded by a team of specialists at the institute:
Duan Baker – Director of Football
Eldon Smith – Technical Specialist
Kwame Stainbank – Physical Performance Specialist
Virgil Vries – Goalkeeper Specialist
Morgan Gould – Defensive Specialist
Cole Alexander – Midfield Specialist
Andisiwe Mgcoyi – Attacking Specialist)
How would you define the importance of your role of being a strikers’ coach, how key is that for upcoming players?
In South Africa, there are not many teams with dedicated strikers – it is still a new concept in the country. It is important because the focus is solely on strikers. Once a player fully understands their role, it becomes easier for them to perform on the field. Development is the foundation of everything. By sharing my knowledge on the fundamentals of being a striker, I aim to develop players and produce a new calibre of strikers in the country.
You left Sundowns Ladies under a cloud – something you have never spoken about – how are you feeling and is that a closed chapter?
To be honest, every story has an ending, and I can’t say whether I’m happy or sad.
All these appointments are happening after that Sundowns Ladies chapter – will I be correct to say that you have hung up your boots?
As a player, whether you are retired or planning to retire, it is very difficult to utter those words.
What are you hopes and ambitions in the coaching space that you now find yourself in?
I would really like to open my own girls’ academy one day, where I can change the way things are done in women’s football and contribute positively to developing the country’s next generation of players. My long-term goal is to coach in different countries, but for now, I want to contribute in my own country before spreading my wings.
Andisiwe Mcgoyi Fact File:
Individual Accolades:
- Top Goal scorer
2015 Sasol League National Championship
- Top Goal scorer
2021 SAFA Women’s League
- Top Goal Scorer
2023 COSAFA Women’s Champions League
- Coach of the Tournament
2024 Engen Champ of Champs
- Coach of the Tournament
2024 Engen Knockout Challenge
Youth Club accolades:
- Started coaching in 2022 when the team was competing in promotional league to Sasol league
Trophies won:
- VW tournament
- Promotion league
- Regional league
- Regional play offs
- Engen
- Champs of Champs
- GWT tournament
- Sasol play offs
- 2x Coach of the tournament
By Matlhomola Morake
