Kickoff (Cape Town)
15 August 2008
Orlando Pirates legend Ernest "Botsotso" Makhanya has been appointed head coach at KwaZulu\Natal Vodacom League side Newcastle Sicilian.
The left footed former player will work alongside Helman Mkhalele, who is the club's newly-appointed technical director.
Mkhalele is back home in Newcastle after serving relegated Jomo Cosmos as player-cum-assistant.
Makhanya's and Mkhalele's first match in charge is at home at Arbor Park against Nomvete FC on Sunday.
'The Midnight Express', whose playing contract with Jomo Cosmos expired at the end of June, said earlier in the year that he believed he would be more suited to a different environment if he goes into full-time coaching.
"The experience that I have gained as a player is not sufficient, so I need to uplift myself by also doing coaching courses. But it would be more relevant for me to do those courses while I am in a coaching job," he says.
"I have more to offer as a coach than if I continue as a player. My body might still be in shape, but inside I can feel that I cannot match the standards of professional football anymore.
"Even if I play, I can never be the same player that I was at my peak. So if am honest with myself, I have to start building my future by moving on to another level which is coaching."
Due to turn 39 in October, Mkhalele spent eight and a half years in Turkey after having done duty for Cosmos and Orlando Pirates.
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