Why Mamelodi Sundowns hired set-play coach Michael Loftman

The club announced late last month that the Englishman had joined in a role of set-play coach, as the Brazilians continue to follow modern global trends.

He had previously worked as a performance analyst with Mokwena at Orlando Pirates for two years, and also served the club as reserve team coach.

"Michael is someone that I have extremely good relations with, it helps when someone has incredible quality. He's a very qualified coach, very hard working with very good qualities, competence, technical expertise. He knows the South African game quite well now having been in the country for some time," he said.

Mokwena, who became the sole Downs head coach in October, confirmed that he was the one to put Loftman’s name forward to the club’s hierarchy.

"Like any other addition to the technical team, as one of the leaders within the club I have to have an opinion and some form of influence with regards to the composition of the technical team. Fortunately, the club was in support because it's something that will help the club move into a very good direction," he added.

Loftman was also briefly head coach of second tier outfit Venda Football Academy at the start of this season, and also spent a short spell as a performance analyst with the Egypt national team during Carlos Queiroz’s reign in 2021.

"We are happy that coach Michael is with us and we are looking forward to him working with the rest of the technical team," he concluded.