Engen Deepens Footprint in South African Youth Football Development

Engen is deepening its footprint in South African youth football — not just by nurturing players, but also by empowering the coaches and technical teams who guide them. As part of its Becoming a Diski Legend initiative, respected development mentor and FIFA Talent Coach Thabo Senong will headline a special workshop for future coaches and technical staff on 9 October in Pretoria.

The session will take place from 18h30 to 19h30 at the Tuks High Performance Centre, immediately after former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo hosts his player-focused edition of Becoming a Diski Legend earlier in the evening.

Building Coaches, Not Just Teams

Senong, who has worked extensively with youth setups locally and abroad, will focus on practical strategies to help coaches elevate both their players and themselves. Topics will include mindset conditioning, session planning, tactical structures, and communication techniques that bring out the best in teams.

“Coaching isn’t just about winning games or building a résumé,” Senong explained. “It’s about understanding your players, helping them grow, and creating an environment where they can thrive. Often, it’s not a lack of talent that holds a team back — it’s how the coach or technical staff structure sessions and communicate that makes the difference.”

Drawing on his international experience, Senong will also share insights into leadership and team culture, stressing that a coach’s role extends far beyond the technical area.

“This session is about equipping young coaches and technical staff to build teams that perform not just on the pitch, but in every aspect of their development,” he added. “Nurturing talent today creates the foundation for success tomorrow.”

Beyond the Pitch: Engen’s Legacy in Football

For Engen, the workshops form part of a wider vision to grow South African football from the ground up.

“We are showing that development isn’t only about performance on the pitch,” said Tsholo Tiro, Engen’s Brand & Sponsorship Manager. “It’s also about equipping aspiring coaches and technical staff with the tools and knowledge to excel, ensuring they are ready to guide their teams toward success.”

The workshops serve as the curtain-raiser to the prestigious 2025 Engen Champ of Champs, set for 10–12 October at Tuks HPC.

📅 Key Dates to Note

• Becoming a Diski Legend (Players) – Brighton Mhlongo
  🗓️ 09 October | ⏰ 16h30 – 18h30
• Becoming a Diski Legend (Coaches) – Thabo Senong
  🗓️ 09 October | ⏰ 18h30 – 19h30
• Engen Champ of Champs 2025
  🗓️ 10–12 October | 📍 Tuks High Performance Centre, Pretoria

🔥 Diskiafrika Take: By putting coaches and technical teams at the heart of development, Engen is ensuring that South African football talent doesn’t just shine — it’s nurtured, guided, and built for the future.