Former Golden Arrows boss Lehlohonolo Seema has started life amazingly well at Sekhukhune. Should Kaizer Chiefs consider him as an outsider to take the job at Naturena?
Lehlohonolo Seema for Kaizer Chiefs, why not?
Sure, there are more glamorous contenders
Chiefs are reportedly interested in Pitso Mosimane, Nasreddine Nabi, Alex Gallo and Vanderlei Luxemburgo. These men are high-calibre options to attract great fanfare. However, who’s to say that Seema doesn’t have the minerals to take the top spot at Naturena and thrive under pressure? The 43-year-old Lesotho-born boss is preparing for a clash with Orlando Pirates this weekend. He’ll do so full of confidence in his players and personal capabilities.
SEEMA’S SHARP RISE
Lehlohonolo Seems hasn’t had the glitziest jobs, but he’s built up an impressive body of work across South Africa’s football pyramid. He’s enjoyed various roles at the now-defunct Bloem Celtic, the caretaker manager tole at Black Leopards and then head coaching jobs at Chippa, Golden Arrows and Polokwane City. Sekhukhune hired Seema in November 2023. In just four months, he’s overseen seven league matches. He’s won five of those, with one draw and one defeat. They’re the FORM team in the division, winning each of their last four DStv Prem clashes.
BABINA NOKO ARE DINING AT THE TOP TABLE
Since promotion to the top tier as recently as 2021/22, Sekhukhune has become an established DStv Premiership team. They finished 11th in their first-ever campaign and followed it up with a creditable 7th place last season, finishing below Stellenbosch only on goal difference. Babina Noko also got to the Nedbank Cup final last term. They now occupy seventh but have a game in hand and could climb the table with a win against Orlando Pirates. Whether they can hold onto star names like Bafana winger Elias Mokwana is another matter. If he does move onto one of Mzansi’s ‘Big Three’ clubs, it’ll be a harsh lesson for Sekhukhune that success often comes at a price and there’s a clear hierarchy in the footballing ecosystem. Seema wasn’t there from the start but his appointment underlines the club’s ambition and prudent vision in spotting managerial market gems.
Sekhukhune faces Pirates on Saturday 30 March at 17:45. A win would send them into second and only enhance Seema’s growing reputation.
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