By HLAYISANI MAGORO
SEKHUKHUNE United this week announced the appointment of Lehlohonolo Seema as the new head coach. The former Orlando Pirates captain was most recently employed by Polokwane City where he left the club’s supporters shocked by tendering his resignation despite a strong start in the Dstv Premiership which saw Rise and Shine rise up to 6th position on the league standings after 12 games.
As a captain at Orlando Pirates and the Lesotho national team, Seema has accumulated continental experience as a player. Enticed by the chance to test himself on the continental stage as a coach, Seema wants to “hit the ground running” in his new chapter with the 2022/23 Nedbank cup finalists. “There is obviously a lot ahead of us and therefore have to hit the ground running. I don’t want to make any promises except to offer my work ethic and dedication to the club and its supporters”, he told the Sekhukhune United website. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank chairman, Simon Malatji for having afforded me an opportunity to lead the team. I’m most appreciative of how the negotiations between my management team and the club were handled in a respectable and candid manner,” Seema added.
The 43-year-old mentor succeeds Brandon Truter who was shown the exit door following a poor start to the season. “Brakkies” oversaw 15 matches across all competitions before his dismissal, winning only 5, losing 7 and drawing the other 3 matches.
The former Lesotho international arrives with a vast amount of coaching experience having started his management career at the now defunct Bloemfontein Celtic, a club he captained for a major part of his 8 year stay during his playing days. He shared the coaching responsibilities alongside John Maduka when he started at “Siwelele” in 2016. Maduka is now in charge at KZN-based club Royal AM.
Seema has had spells at other PSL clubs namely Black Leopards, Golden Arrows, Chippa United and Polokwane City recently. Babina Noko have also confirmed that Macdonald Makhubedu, who was an interim coach has now returned to his full-time assistant coach position. The club also confirmed that former Black Aces, Thanda Royal Zulu and FC Cape Town goalkeeper Nascent Nkwashu will serve as the goalkeeper coach. The Limpopo side will close off the year by juggling between continental and domestic duties with three CAF Confederations cup matches and four Dstv Premiership encounters
