A French military leader during the French Revolution, Napoléon Bonaparte, once said: “Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.”
Bonaparte could well have been talking about ABC Motsepe League 2015-16 champions Tornado FC’s coach Thobela Bikwani who deservedly gets the credit as the master tactician who led the Mdantsane side to provincial glory.
The 34-year-old, one of the youngest coaches in organised football was a sensational player during his playing days when he played at the highest level, featuring in the colours of FC Twente in Europe and Bafana Bafana.
Bikwani seems to be carrying on with a fine job even as a manager having won a championship in his very first season as a head coach.
The Gugulethu-born former Bush Bucks player is a true student of the game both as a player and mentor having been an assistant coach for many years at NFD side Cape Town All Stars which he was very instrumental in its formation in 2012.
In his maiden season as Tornado head coach, Bikwani introduced an attacking brand of football never seen before at the club. His philosophy is evident in the number of goals Tornado scored during the 2015-17 season – a staggering 81 in just 30 matches which translates to an average of more than 2.5 goals per match.
“After my arrival at Tornado, I first had to look at the kind of players I want because one’s philosophy depends of the players they have at their disposal,” he said.
“When I analysed, I realised that most of them had not been coached properly before which meant I had to start from scratch with basics.
“As we were working, I made myself clear that I do not like long balls, it must be on the ground and impressively they bought into and adapted to my philosophy quicker than I had thought.”
Although Bikwani admits to hate losing with passion, he said he was prepared to give Tornado a season trying to familiarise himself with the players and the provincial league.
“But about halfway through to the season, I said actually we can win this thing,” he recalls.
“I told my players I do not like long balls, it must be on the ground and emphasised on the transition from the back. I had to change their mind-set and I told them I am a champion and I do not work with losers. The adapted, believed in themselves and the winning mentality took over.”
Bikwani though will still have to prove his mettle as he guides Tornado to the ABC Motsepe national playoffs in Bloemfontein starting on June 13.
For this particular mission, he will hit the ground running with preparations as of Monday when they start a two-week camp in Cape Town in efforts to fine-tune his charges ahead of the big one in Mangaung. Bikwani is surely looking forward to the playoff challenge. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Tornado coach proves maestro
Bonaparte could well have been talking about ABC Motsepe League 2015-16 champions Tornado FC’s coach Thobela Bikwani who deservedly gets the credit as the master tactician who led the Mdantsane side to provincial glory.
The 34-year-old, one of the youngest coaches in organised football was a sensational player during his playing days when he played at the highest level, featuring in the colours of FC Twente in Europe and Bafana Bafana.
Bikwani seems to be carrying on with a fine job even as a manager having won a championship in his very first season as a head coach.
The Gugulethu-born former Bush Bucks player is a true student of the game both as a player and mentor having been an assistant coach for many years at NFD side Cape Town All Stars which he was very instrumental in its formation in 2012.
In his maiden season as Tornado head coach, Bikwani introduced an attacking brand of football never seen before at the club. His philosophy is evident in the number of goals Tornado scored during the 2015-17 season – a staggering 81 in just 30 matches which translates to an average of more than 2.5 goals per match.
“After my arrival at Tornado, I first had to look at the kind of players I want because one’s philosophy depends of the players they have at their disposal,” he said.
“When I analysed, I realised that most of them had not been coached properly before which meant I had to start from scratch with basics.
“As we were working, I made myself clear that I do not like long balls, it must be on the ground and impressively they bought into and adapted to my philosophy quicker than I had thought.”
Although Bikwani admits to hate losing with passion, he said he was prepared to give Tornado a season trying to familiarise himself with the players and the provincial league.
“But about halfway through to the season, I said actually we can win this thing,” he recalls.
“I told my players I do not like long balls, it must be on the ground and emphasised on the transition from the back. I had to change their mind-set and I told them I am a champion and I do not work with losers. The adapted, believed in themselves and the winning mentality took over.”
Bikwani though will still have to prove his mettle as he guides Tornado to the ABC Motsepe national playoffs in Bloemfontein starting on June 13.
For this particular mission, he will hit the ground running with preparations as of Monday when they start a two-week camp in Cape Town in efforts to fine-tune his charges ahead of the big one in Mangaung. Bikwani is surely looking forward to the playoff challenge. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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