2 February 2009

KANALELO - UNITED’S GENTLE GIANT

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Namibian International shot stopper Ronnie Kanalelo is United’s new goal keeper coach.

Having been part of the successful Sundowns outfit that won the PSL title three times between 1997 and 2000, Kanalelo is the “Team of Choice's” top drawer acquisition in the goal keeping department.

This gentle giant believes his presence will make a huge difference to the custodians in the United family with him also attending to goal keepers in the youth department.

"I am settling in and look forwards to the challenges ahead - working with the likes of Gordon Igesund, Clinton Larsen and a very knowledgeable technical staff encourages me to work hard and add value to the United set up," said Ronnie who is also known as “Magnet” because of his goal keeping feats in his playing days.

"I am also pleased to be back in South Africa where I have a lot football related friends and memories of my 7 year stay with Sundowns. This is where my thoughts of the amount of silverware and league successes will always be cherished. At Sundowns we won Rothmans Cup in 1999, Bop Save in 1998, the Telkom Charity Cup in 2003 and had to settle for silver in the Champions League 2001.

"I was also fortunate to be able to participate in the 1998 Nations Cup as a player and later as an assistant coach. I earned three national caps as an U23 and fifty three senior caps.

"Before being lured to Sundowns I had played in the Namibia Professional League, plying my trade with Eleven Arrows in 1991 and lifting the League title. Between 1993 and 1996 I played for Black Africa F.C. and the silverware was made of the League Championship, N.F.A. Cup, Metropolitan Champions and Castle Classic Champions. It was here that Sundowns made a bid for me that led to the glorious years in South Africa.

Having enjoyed an illustratious playing career, Ronnie has now turned to Coaching, acquiring Badges from the German High Level Course and FIFA Goalkeeper Course to his credit. He also attended both SAFA Level One and Two courses and was successful.

He also served has an instructor with the Namibia Football Association.

When asked about his stay at United, Ronnie was complimentary about the Technical Staff and the professionalism of the management and firmly believes that the potential in the squad is huge.

With the goalkeeping staff on hand he is pleased with their approach to training and with this attitude the “sky is the limit” for them.

"Although I miss his family and the lights of Walvis Bay, I am beginning to adapt to life in Pietermaritzburg and settling in and looking forward to a long and successful stay in Pietermaritzburg"