OUR NEW
GENERATION OF
WOMEN COACHES:

ANDISIWE MGCOYI AND
RHODA MULAUDZI

Rhoda and Andisiwe during the CAF Champions League Final© Samuel Shivambu - BackpagePixAuthor: John AliuThe world is currently witnessing the emergence of female soccer coaches. At the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, nine of the 24 head coaches were women. That same number was recorded at the 2015 edition in Canada.Similarly, this year’s edition of the UEFA Women's EURO in England featured six women coaches – the same number recorded at the 2017 edition of the tournament in the Netherlands.
Of the 12 countries at the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, only three were coached by women - South Africa (Desiree Ellis), Botswana (Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang) and Togo (Kai Tomety).

The sight of Coach Agnes ‘Madala’ Nkosi on the touchline during the inaugural edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League last year is one of many examples of how Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club is harnessing the potential of women in the game across all fronts. Following in the footsteps of Madala, the likes of Andisiwe Mgcoyi and Rhoda Mulaudzi have begun the process of forging their managerial paths.
Andisiwe regularly hosts tournaments for girls across the Under-7, Under-15 and Under-17 levels. The Sundowns striker is the head coach of the female Under-15 set-up and is assisted by fellow striker, Mulaudzi.

Mgcoyi who is an assistant to Coach Agnes (coach of the Mamelodi Sundowns women's under-20 team) spoke of the vision for her side, “I always feel so emotional when I see youngsters knocking the ball around with confidence. I hope that they keep their heads down and learn more about the game. I hope they eventually exceed my achievements because they are very talented and I am working hard to help them achieve their potential.”
© Weam Mostafa - BackpagePixAndisiwe Mgcoyi celebrates during the CAF Women's Champions League FinalMgcoyi is one of the most experienced footballers in the Banyana Ba Style camp. In the years that she spent abroad, Mgcoyi played for different European sides, winning several league titles and competed in three UEFA Women’s Champions League editions.

Coach Simon Blangwe (Sundowns Academy Coach) who has worked with Andisiwe since 2014 believes the striker has all it takes to succeed, “Andisiwe’s vast experience of soccer has been immense. She has a great idea of the game and that has helped her to understand the basics of coaching. At a club like Sundowns, she will have the opportunity to hone her managerial skills.”
© Sydney Mahlangu - BackpagePixRhoda during the 2022 Hollywoodbets Super League match against Golden Ladies at TUT StadiumHaving played club football in Australia, Cyprus and Belarus, Rhoda Mulaudzi is one of the most experienced female footballers in South Africa. Just recently, the 33-year-old assumed coaching duties of the female Under-13 set-up. Rhoda also assists Mgcoyi in coaching the Under-15 female team.

Thus far, Mulaudzi has embraced the responsibilities of her role in the dugout.
“Being a coach is not as easy as everyone thinks. There are so many aspects of the game that you have to pay close attention to. You need to understand the mindset of the players, as well as their mentality to buy into your philosophy. Being a coach also makes one understand the psychological aspects of the game because I am now able to understand the frustrations of a player when things are not going according to plan. Overall, by becoming a coach, I have gained a broader understanding of the game,” Rhoda stated.
© Weam Mostafa - BackpagePixAndisiwe Mgcoyi celebrates winning the CAF Women's Champions League FinalMadala believes both players have the qualities to excel in their young coaching careers, “I am happy for Andisiwe and Mulaudzi because they are giving back to the young ones what they have learned at Mamelodi Sundowns in the past few years. As players, they have won it all at Sundowns and we believe they are destined for the top as coaches.”
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