Why Benson Mhlongo’s coaching career is on hold

Mhlongo retired from playing in 2016 and was immediately roped in as part of the Orlando Pirates technical team that same year and later became head coach at National First Division outfit TS Sporting.

READ: What will Andile Jali bring to Chippa United in the new season?

But it now appears as though that path has been put on hold, and Mhlongo, speaking to SABC Sport, explained why.

“Very grateful for that opportunity, you know it is rare - immediately after playing, a big institution like Orlando Pirates to absorb you, I am very grateful for it, there's an element of ubuntu, element of who you are as a human being. I was supposed to be prepared to say I am entering an industry where I might destroy people's careers,'' said Mhlongo.

The 43-year-old admits he found it difficult coming to terms with the fact that he held a player’s fate in his hands.

 ''When you come to a team and there are players that you won't use, and you initiate as a coach for a contract not to be signed - I am already destroying that career. So from playing fresh as a captain and won a trophy because of my teammates, it was not easy for me to terminate the person's contract, even if I am not going to use him. For me it was a thing of, let him finish his contract,'' added Mhlongo.

Mhlongo adds that he wanted to protect his reputation.

 ''For me it was going to destroy my career in the public to say now I am a coach fighting and those who are still playing. I didn't want the stigma, hence I decided to move away from the big institutions and start from the ground, where I went to Championship, Vodacom, to say if now I come back - at least I will be coming back with experience and knowledge in certain things that have affected me emotionally,'' concluded Mhlongo.

The ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates midfielder indicated that he’d found his true calling and hasn’t ruled out returning to the dugout.