Venda Football Academy (VFA) confirmed this week that Mr Michael Loftman was appointed as the team’s new head coach with effect from Friday, 1 July. He follows in the footsteps of Mr Johnny Ferreira, who left the club at the end of last season,

According to the chairman of the club, Mr Itani Munzhelele, the new coach has entered into a one-year contract with the club.

Asked what they had seen in Mr Loftman, Munzhelele said that they were impressed by his vision for the team as well as his enthusiasm and determination to help the club achieve its objectives. Vhanzheli, as he is affectionately called, said that Mr Loftman’s mandate was clear - to promote the team to the DStv Premiership division at the end of the coming season.

According to Munzhelele, the former Orlando Pirates mentor will be assisted by Mr Luvhengo Mungomeni. He said that Mr Azwinndini Maphaha would continue to work as the goalkeeper coach, while Prinil Deen was the new performance analyst. The other members of the technical team are Sbusiso Makhula (conditioning coach), Vhuhwavho Nemauluma (biokineticist) and Rowan Hendricks (head of youth development).    

A quick glance at Mr Loftman’s coaching history shows that the Thohoyandou side has appointed the right person to the coaching position. He has valuable experience as a head coach and as part of the technical team for top-level teams in Africa and Europe, such as Lommel SK (Belgium), Orlando Pirates (RSA), Lusaka Dynamos (Zambia), Tottenham Hotspurs (UK Football Development) and the Egyptian National Team.

VFA will commence with their pre-season training on Monday next week (4 July). The club had recently released 15 players. The players who were let go include Msawakhe Mncwango, Ranga Chivaviro, Jabulani Shongwe, MacClive Phiri, Sibusiso Mkhonde, Innocent Mkhabela, Vincent Sithole, Lebo Ngubeni, Abdoulaye Kante, Eden Nene, Tshepo Makgopa, Zwivhuya Matombo, Velile Zitha, Sibusiso Khumalo and Thembisani Nevhulamba.