Maduka the driving force behind Royal AM success

The mastermind behind the success of Royal AM this season has been a player, team manager and now a coach, giving him a full understanding of just what makes a squad tick to ensure progress on the field of play.

Former Malawi international midfielder John Maduka made almost 100 appearances for his country and 355 starts in the South African league with Umtata Bush Bucks, AmaZulu and Bloemfontein Celtic.

There is no doubting his experience in the game, but it was perhaps his role of team manager for Celtic that taught him the kind of man-management skills he has used so effectively this season.

Now as head coach of Royal AM, Maduka has had to take two squads and turn them into one, harmonious group. He has managed that with aplomb and is on course to lead his side to a CAF Champions League qualification place, and perhaps also a Nedbank Cup final.

Maduka was head coach of Celtic when the team was purchased by the owners of Royal AM, who resisted the temptation to bring in a ‘big name’ tactician to lead the side, and instead tasked Maduka with combining the squads and finding the right blend and balance.

He has exceeded expectations – perhaps even his own – but for those who have seen him in operation over the last decade, it is no surprise.

He is softly-spoken but has a steely resolve and has always tried to give players the freedom to express themselves on the pitch. To that end, giving them confidence is key to the way he coaches.

“You must have confidence and believe in yourself that you can do it, and then when you go onto the field of play it becomes a bit easier,” Maduka said.

“But if you lack confidence, it becomes difficult because your movement and decision-making is not going to be right.”

He was appointed team manager of Celtic shortly after his retirement from playing in 2009 and held that post almost until the franchise was sold, often doubling up his duties with that of coach.

He had two caretaker stints in charge of the team alongside Lehlohonolo Seema in the 2016/17 season, and then between late 2018 and 2020, after which he took up the reins on his own after the latter jumped ship to Chippa United.

“He is a very good coach, but also a very good man,” Seema said. “He has a good way with players, they respect him a lot. He is also a winner, always. He is never ready to settle for anything less than a win.”

Maduka had to deal with a lot in his time at Celtic, various player rebellions over unpaid wages and the general money issues the club had, but through it all he kept the team competitive.

As sole head coach he took Celtic to the final of the Nedbank Cup in 2020 and the MTN8 that year, both lost to Mamelodi Sundowns, while the team finished 11th in the 2020/21 DStv Premiership season having sold many of their leading players.

But it is this campaign with Royal AM where he has really shone. They lost their first two league matches after the players had barely a few training sessions together, but quickly got into their stride, winning the next four in a row, including a thumping 4-1 success at Kaizer Chiefs.

They have lost only three of their last 24 games (W14 D7), with one of those defeats at all-conquering Sundowns [2-3]. He has made Chatsworth Stadium in particular a fortress – the side are unbeaten there in 12 games (W10 D2).

He admits it has not been easy. There was mass disappointment that a storied old name like Bloemfontein Celtic was removed from the South African professional football landscape when Royal AM swooped for the franchise.

Maduka says he and the players were aware that many wanted them to fail.

"It's football, you lose some and win some, it's a young team but so far we're getting better and better,” he said. “We will win games, but you know the way it is, everyone wants to shoot us down. It's not easy for the players but they're working hard.”

Maduka will lead his Royal AM side at home against University of Pretoria in their Nedbank Cup quarterfinal on Sunday. He will hope for a second final appearance in the competition and to go one better than two years ago and lift his first piece of silverware as a coach.