Former South African U-20 Men’s national team coach, Thabo Senong, has underscored the vital importance of developing youth coaches as a cornerstone of South Africa’s football growth.
Speaking at the official draw of the 2025 Engen Champ of Champs, held on Tuesday, 7 October, Senong highlighted the need for consistency, collaboration, and continuous learning in youth football coaching.
This year’s Engen Champ of Champs finals will introduce a dedicated Coaching Workshop for all qualified teams from across the country, an initiative aimed at upskilling grassroots coaches and aligning local coaching standards with global best practices.
Senong, who will lead the coaching segment of the workshop, said the platform, which will see a total of 18 Youth Coaches attending the Engen Champ of Champs in Pretoria this week, is an invaluable opportunity to share knowledge and unify the nation’s approach to developing young players.
“Having attended some of the Engen Knockout Challenge tournaments, I must say that I’m grateful for the opportunity they provide to identify gaps and observe what’s happening across provinces,” Senong explained.
“It shows that we need to speak the same language when it comes to developing talent. Engen is giving us this opportunity to discuss the latest trends in football and to see where the game is going globally.”
He emphasised that coaching education and collaboration are essential if South Africa wants to remain competitive on the international stage.
“Football is a global game, and we have to compete with the best in the world. To do that, we must stay updated on the latest developments in youth football. If we develop our youth coaches, we’ll continue producing top talent as we’ve seen with the recent performances of our youth national teams,” he added.
Alongside Senong’s technical workshop, a former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper will host a player-focused session centred on “Branding Yourself as a Footballer” and the importance of preparing for life after retirement.
Together, these sessions aim to promote a holistic approach to football development — nurturing both the technical and personal growth of future stars.
By investing in the education of both players and coaches, Engen continues to reaffirm its commitment to youth football development.