Platinum Stars appoints assistant coach

Platinum Stars have announced the appointment of David Vilakazi as assistant coach to fellow Steve Komphela for the 2009/10 season with immediate effect.

Vilakazi, who was head coach of First Division Coastal Stream side Carara Kicks last season, as the Welkom side came within a whisker of promotion to the Absa Premiership, joins Stars on a two-year contract, with an option of a third year.

Also joining the technical team is Obed Legobate, who was previously National Supporters Coordinator for Suppersport United for four seasons, following that, he made the move to Platinum Stars Supporters Club where he also assisted in coordinating the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in preparations for the 2009 Confederations Cup. He has been appointed Team Manager for the new season.

Vilakazi, who like Komphela is from the Free State, is regarded as one of the best young coaches in the country. He spent 10 years as a player with Fairway Stars, who would later become QwaQwa Stars and then Free State Stars, captaining the team to success in the Coca-Cola Cup final in 1994 when they beat Hellenic 3-2.

After hanging up his boots in 1996, the 42-year-old took up the head coach position with Bloemfontein Young Tigers the following year, and spent nine seasons with the club before his departure in 2006.

He then worked as assistant coach at Maritzburg United (January to June 2007), before making a return as assistant at his old club Free State Stars (2007/08).

He took up the reigns at ambitious Carara Kicks for the 2008/09 campaign and helped them win the First Division Inland Stream, though the side were beaten by Jomo Cosmos in the Play-Off Final, and then Mpumalanga Black Aces in the semifinals of the subsequent Promotion/Relegation Play-Offs.

“I am really excited to join an ambitious club like Platinum Stars,” Vilakazi says. “It is a great opportunity for me to once again lend my knowledge and experience to an Absa Premiership club and I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.

“I am also delighted to be working with Steve Komphela once again. I played with Steve at Fairway Stars and have known him for many years. He is an excellent coach and someone I admire a great deal.”

Vilakazi, who has a Safa Level 1 coaching certificate, is also a qualified teacher, having received his qualifications at the same time as Komphela at the Bonamelo College of Education in the mid-90s.

Stars Managing Director Ian Riddick is delighted with the capture of Vilakazi, piecing together what he calls a dream pairing.

“David has all the attributes we were looking for in an assistant and his recent record at club level is outstanding,” Riddick says. “He has known Steve for many years and we believe they will complement each other perfectly as a working unit.

“We are delighted to have David on board and this is just one of many exciting changes at the club we will be announcing in the build-up to the new season.”