Zimbabwean coach joins for Limpopo United

Limpopo United, the Vodacom Promotional League side based in the Vhembe District, have strengthened their technical department by appointing a new assistant coach.

The Zimbabwean-born coach, Mr Maclass Maphanga, joined United three weeks ago.

Mr Maphanga replaces Mr Thiery Mulonzo, who parted ways with the club towards the end of last year.

Maphanga will be assisting the Zambian coach, Mr Conrad Milimo, who has been with the club for the past 18 months. Limpopo United have so far played two matches with Milimo and Maphanga as head coach and assistant respectively. They brutally walloped Lephalale Young Cosmos 8-0 at the Mogol Stadium in Lephalale three weeks ago. The duo also steered Limpopo United to a 2-1 victory over All Nations Shining Stars at the Tshikombani Stadium last Saturday.

Maphanga was born in Mbare Township, Harare, 47 years ago. He played for several First Division teams, including Roads Camp FC and ZRP Zamuto FC as an attacking midfielder during his heyday, before hanging up his boots in 1982.

His coaching career started way back in 1982, when he was appointed the assistant coach for Shooting Stars FC in 1989. He moved to Kismet United in 1991, where he worked as assistant coach for two years. He was appointed head coach for Gutu Leopards FC in 2005 where he stayed until the end of 2007.

He is equipped with a Level 11 coaching certificate, which he obtained from the Renco Mine Academy in 1999. Mr Maphanga came to South Africa in 2008 in search of greener pastures. The marketing manager of United, Mr Takalani Rabali, said that they were happy with the combination of Milimo and Maphanga, saying the two had the potential to take the team to the highest level.