Hold on to your hats, football fans, because Mamelodi Sundowns just made a spicy addition to their technical team! Michael Loftman, the former VFA head coach, has joined Rulani Mokwena’s backroom stuff as the “Set Play Coach”. Talk about getting down to business!
This move comes after Mokwena hinted at more changes to his team, following a big shake-up in October 2022 when he took over as head coach. Steve Komphela became the First Team Coach, and Manqoba Mngqithi became the Senior Coach.
Masandawana confirmed Loftman’s arrival on Tuesday, just in time for their CAF Champions League away fixture against Coton Sport this weekend. The club’s statement read, “Mamelodi Sundowns has bolstered its Technical Team and football-department with the appointment of Michael Loftman as Set Play Coach… All elite sport is about gaining small margins. Replays and restarts are a significant part of modern-day football and are even more crucial when playing in the CAF Champions League.”
Loftman certainly brings some serious skills to the team, including a UEFA A license from the English FA and a Sports Science & Coaching Masters Degree from Brunel University. His role as performance data analyst will help to provide important information to improve an important part of the game.
Flemming Berg, the Sporting Director of Mamelodi Sundowns, expressed his excitement about the new addition, saying “we are very happy to have Michael and add his competencies to the experienced and highly qualified technical team.”
This is not Loftman’s first rodeo, as he has previously worked with Orlando Pirates and Carlos Queiroz’s technical team for Egypt. He even had his first head coach role in Africa at just 25 when he took charge of Lusaka Dynamos in Zambia.
So there you have it, folks. With Michael Loftman on board, Mamelodi Sundowns is looking to elevate their game to the next level, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the pitch!
