Newly appointed SAFA Girls’ High Performance Centre head coach, Maud Khumalo, admits that stepping away from her role as head coach of the UP Hollywoodbets Women’s Team (Tuks) was one of the toughest decisions of her career after years of building and developing the side.
“It’s a new challenge for me. Moving away from Tuks was not an easy decision. I’ve been with them since 2019 and it’s a bittersweet moment because I’ve been building the team to where it is now,” she told SuperSport.
SAFA confirmed Khumalo’s appointment on the 9th of this month, a move that shines a positive light on the continued growth and development of women’s football in South Africa.
With more than a decade of coaching experience, combined with a colourful playing career as a former Banyana Banyana player, the appointment marks a natural progression in Khumalo’s football journey.
“On the other hand, this appointment has been in discussion for some time, but I was still thinking about what would be expected of me if I accepted the offer.
"I learned that I would be the head coach of the academy, focusing on developing players, and player development is something I’m passionate about. I’ve been part of the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams, and the ultimate goal is Banyana Banyana, so that’s where the decision came from,” she added.
Her extensive coaching career includes roles as assistant coach of the Under-17 Women’s National Team, head coach of the Under-20 Women’s National Team, and team manager. Khumalo believes the move is perfectly aligned with her passion for nurturing and upskilling young players at development level.
“It’s very important to develop young players because everything starts at grassroots level. When you are in the national setup, especially at Under-20 level, you don’t expect to teach players the basics because time is limited and you are competing to win. We need to teach young players to understand more than just their positions because the game continues to evolve, and it’s important for them to grasp that at a young age,” she explained.
Khumalo acknowledged the challenges that come with the role but remains determined to make a meaningful impact in youth development.
“It’s not going to be easy, but I want to contribute positively to the development of these players because we have talented and quality players in South Africa. We just need to help them. The best way to do that is by spending time watching, coaching and understanding what these youngsters need.
“In my mind, I’m more than just a coach, I’m also a developer and a scout,” she concluded.