FORMER WANDERERS COACH ‘JULUKA’ IS DEAD

MBABANE – Former Manzini Wanderers and Hellenic F.C coach Archie Juluka Radebe is dead.

The South Africa-born mentor passed on at St Hellen Hospital at Auckland Park in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening after being indisposed for two months. His friend and colleague Kenny Ndlazi confirmed the sad news yesterday morning, and said football had lost a great man who was unfortunate not to have been accorded the respect he deserved.

He was the last coach to win a trophy at Manzini Wanderers almost 10 years ago, parading a youthful side that captivated many people enroute to winning the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup in August 2005. The team that was nicknamed the Archie’s Babes comprised Thamie ‘Cheeseboy’ Mofokeng, Sifiso ‘Mangweni’ Zwane, Ndoda Mthethwa, Sandile Mthethwa, Basil Mthethwa and Sandile Ginindza to name but a few.

A distraught Ndlazi said his colleague had been admitted to the hospital for two months, but finally succumbed to death on Wednesday.
“It is very sad indeed to lose a person who has done so much for football. He was staunch believer in youth development, and his conveyor belt produced the likes of Lebogang ‘Cheeseboy’ Mokoena, the late Gift Leremi and currently, Sifiso Myeni who he took under his wing at nine years.”

He said the deceased had dedicated all his life to grooming young players, and he was often used as a scout by many clubs. Ndlazi said Radebe’s contribution to Manzini Wanderers was there for all to see.
Wanderers Managing Director Mduduzi ‘Tsotsi’ Mabila paid tribute to the man who last raked in silverware at the club. Ironically, Mabila was the club Manager at the time, when Radebe, the former Amazulu captain, was appointed coach on the recommendation of then secretary to directors Sandile Chief Dlamini. The late Henry ‘Shushu’ Mthethwa was the club Chairman.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: