Well-known local coach and mentor Amukelani "Jay Jay" Hlongwane is now also an accredited CAF B-licensed coach. He received his license after attending a three-week course at SAFA's Tshwane office in Gauteng.
Hlongwane, who hails from Chavani village, has had a long and illustrious coaching career in the Vhembe region. After hanging up his soccer boots, he decided to pursue a career in coaching. He completed an introductory coaching course the following year and was appointed head coach of Wayeni Sea Robbers by SAFA Vhembe.
He also coached Winners Park in the Vodacom League, serving as head coach for three years. Several other teams, including Munaca FC and Mpheni Home Defenders, entrusted him with their head coaching roles. Under his guidance, Defenders qualified for the national promotional play-offs twice in a row.
Hlongwane also coached Baroka FC in the PSL second division (Motsepe Foundation Championship League) after Joel Masutha resigned last season to join Black Leopards. He is currently the assistant coach of Casric Stars, who play in the same division, and has since been asked to take full coaching responsibilities for the team. Part of his mandate is to ensure that Casric Stars finish among the league's top teams by the end of the season.
When asked whether that was achievable, Hlongwane said the mandate was not difficult, given that they had a rock-solid squad. He added that he was building on the foundation of the team they had relied on during previous campaigns in the same league.