University of the Western Cape coach, Thinasonke Mbuli has revealed how shocked she was when she heard of her nomination for the 2024 CAF Woman Coach of the Year. The Mpumalanga-born tactician says of all the things they dreamt of the nomination was not part of the plan. So tight was the competition that instead of the top three, four coaches were in contention for the big prize. TP Mazembe coach Lamia Boumehdi was named the winner in the category. Mbuli led UWC to dizzying heights in 2024 but still can’t believe she was a nominee.
“I was really really shocked, I couldn’t believe it. I was extremely happy to know that I was also nominated,” said Mbuli.
For being among the top four of the CAF Woman Coach of the Year award, Mbuli was invited to the ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco recently – the first time she attended the event, and says it was an experience of a lifetime.
“Being at the awards is something I cannot describe, I believe it is something that people in football should at least experience, even if it is only once,” she added.
2024 will go down as one of the best seasons for UWC. They won both the Varsity Football and USSA games tournaments; claimed the regional CAF Women’s Champions League trophy; finished second in the Hollywoodbets Super League and made their debut in the CAF Women’s Champions League. Also, they consistently had players in Banyana Banyana. Mbuli was also named Coach of the Year at UWC, defender Fikile Magama was crowned Sportswoman of the Year, and the team won the Club of the Year award at the same event.
To add to an already great year, UWC’s influential players, Noxolo Cesane and Bongeka Gamede moved to new clubs abroad – Saudi Arabia and Denmark respectively. Mbuli says this is part of their success story.
Currently enjoying the offseason, Mbuli and her technical team are also working hard to beef up the squad for the 2025 season.
By Matlhomola Morake
