JOHANNESBURG — New Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt is on the lookout for an assistant coach —and the answer could well come from within the club’s own ranks, with former Zimbabwe international Charles Yohane on the line.
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Nothing has been announced yet by the Clever Boys, but it is understood that Andre Arendse will carry on as goalkeeper coach, and that his dual role as assistant coach from last season may come to an end to allow him to focus entirely on the keepers.
Looking at Hunt’s history with assistant coaches, it is clear that he enjoys working with a reliable number two that can be counted on to make his life as head coach much easier.
The late Tommy Madigage and, more recently, Zimbabwean Kaitano Tembo, have been the type of assistants that he prefers — both ex-players who were dedicated and focused during their years as professional players — and men that will stick it out through the ups and the downs.
The most obvious choices would be Yohane, the Under 16 coach, or Ashley Makhanya, while there are other outside names also in the mix.
Yohane is considered a club legend, having starred for the club during the time when he was also a regular Zimbabwe international.
For the past few years he has coached in the club’s youth ranks.
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Likewise, Makhanya has also poured himself back into the club’s youth system after retiring as a player. Makhanya served Wits loyally over the years and was a regular junior South African international.
Don’t be surprised if either Yohane or Makhanya are drafted in to assist Hunt once a final decision is made by the club. Wits have also confirmed they are thrashing out details with Chippa United over the purchase of veteran striker Benjani Mwaruwari.
The former Zimbabwe international only managed a bit-part role for the Chilli Boys after joining in the January transfer window, and now looks likely to move on to the Students, who will be out to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Premier Soccer League last season.
“I can confirm our chief executive officer (Jose Ferreira) is dealing with the issue of Benjani,” Wits co-director George Mogotsi told Times Live.
“He is a highly experienced striker who will give the technical staff more options up front. We need goals to win trophies.”
The former Manchester City and Portsmouth forward had been linked with a move to SuperSport United prior to his arrival at Chippa, although the 34-year-old is now set to finally link up with Hunt, who left Matsatsantsa for Wits this month.
