Technically-gifted coach set to elevate Madibaz women's football

Madibaz football manager Mark Tommy, left, welcomes new women’s coach Nolitha Mhlomi to the club.

New Madibaz women’s football coach Nolitha Mhlomi is determined to elevate the status of the code at Mandela University in Gqeberha.

The 27-year-old took the reins this month and is eager to advance her career as well as women’s football at the institution.

The former player’s initial goal is to ensure the team remain competitive in the regional Sasol Women’s League starting at the end of the month.

After that her focus will shift to the University Sports South Africa tournament in the second half of the year.

Beyond coaching, Mhlomi has made a name for herself as an official and was duly named the most outstanding referee of the tournament at the Women’s League’s national playoffs last season.

The latter is the gateway to the Hollywoodbets Super League – the country’s premier women’s football competition – in which she was nominated for the assistant referee of the year award in 2024.

Her insight into the Super League had been a huge motivator for her appointment, according to Madibaz Football manager Mark Tommy.

“She brings her experience and network to the project,” he explained.

“Technically, she is one of the best officials in the country and on track for appointment to the prestigious PSL (Premier Soccer League) panel.”

As the Super League is televised, he believes she will be a “great ambassador for Mandela University and its female athletes”.

Mhlomi, who works closely with Madibaz Football Club head coach Elrio van Heerden, wants to lay a strong foundation at the beginning of her stint as mentor.

“We want to see the team compete at the highest level and our long-term goal is to get there. But, first, we need everyone to be aligned, working towards the same objective.”

While she has a qualification in sport management, her blueprint centres on player development.

“My focus right now is on growing the team by encouraging younger university players to get involved in leagues and tournaments.”

She sees her primary role as one of supporting the players to achieve their goals and therefore to expose them to competitive environments that will “prepare them for future challenges”.

As the only girl in her household in Butterworth, she naturally ended up playing the sport with her brothers.

“That sparked my love for the game,” she admits.

Back then, the coach of one of the local teams (Manchester United Ladies) encouraged her to try out for them and the result was that she played a pivotal part in the club’s successes from 2011 to 2016.

However, persistent injuries ultimately forced her to call time on her career. Instead of leaving the sport behind, she chose to become involved in refereeing and coaching and now sports a CAF D licence in the latter.

She mentored at Vela High School in Mthatha from 2021 to 2023 and more recently worked with players at Cala High School and the Khanyisa School in Gqeberha.

Now she is ready to up her coaching game with the Madibaz, fully aware that the job extends beyond tactics and training.

“Being a coach is multifaceted,” Mhlomi, who has to jump between the roles of “parent” and mentor while also taking care of the technical aspects, said.

“But I feel incredibly humbled and honoured to have this opportunity. It’s a great chance to apply my skills and knowledge.”

She officiated in the televised opening match of the season between UJ and UCT on Sunday.