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South Africa’s most capped player comes to the Western Cape for his first coaching job
Cape Town City has announced the appointment of Aaron Mokoena as assistant coach to Jan Olde Riekerink.
The 40-year-old former Bafana Bafana captain replaced Vasili Manousakis, who is reportedly on his way to join AmaZulu as Benni McCarthy’s assistant coach.
“The club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Aaron Mokoena as assistant coach of Cape Town City Football Club. The most capped player in South African history, officially a citizen. Welcome Mbazo, ”City announced on Monday.
The club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Aaron Mokoena as CTCFC assistant coach.
The most capped player in South African history, officially a citizen. Welcome Mbazo! #MokoenaStart#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/jG2RAni2O4
– Cape Town FC (@CapeTownCityFC) January 4, 2021
The Boipatong-born retired defender spent 13 years playing in Europe, highlighted by a season in the Premier League where he played for Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth.
He also played in Germany for Germinal Beerschot and the Belgian top flight for Genk.
Since ending his playing career at Bidvest Wits in 2013, Mokoena’s only great job was a stint as assistant team manager Bafana Bafana in 2017 and the City job would be his first coaching position.
He reconnects with Riekerink, who coached him on the Ajax Amsterdam reserve in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“I always felt that Cape Town is like Europe and I have been in Europe half my life,” Mokoena told the Cape Town media.
“I am from the dusty streets. I played armored football in Boipatong. I am the footballer with the most international appearances in the history of South African football. It is not easy to play abroad. One thing that is frustrating in Europe is not playing. That is why we find so many South African players returning home.
“I would love to guide you. By joining such a big club, the relationship I had with my former coach Jan Olde Riekerink in the days at Ajax Amsterdam makes me feel at home. “
Mbazo has landed #MokoenaStart#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/ZvI6IcLNVT
– Cape Town FC (@CapeTownCityFC) January 4, 2021
Mokoena joined City, who currently rank fourth in the Premier Soccer League standings, six points behind leader Mamelodi Sundowns.
However, City have played one game less than the defending champions.
Having started work on Monday, the former South Africa captain is expected to be on the bench in Tuesday’s league game against second-placed Swallows FC.
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