Ronnie Kanalelo Set For Marumo Gallants Head Coach Job In PSL
Namibian coach Ronnie Kanalelo is set to be appointed as the new head coach of South African Premier Soccer League side Marumo Gallants, following the breakdown of the club’s talks with Dimitar Pantev.
Kanalelo, 55, is understood to have already taken charge of his first training session with Gallants as the club prepares for a new era on the bench.
The development comes just months after he joined Namibian champions African Stars from FC Ongos, where he guided the club to a top-four finish in the league.
Despite his relatively short time at African Stars, Kanalelo has already made an impact, leading the club into the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League.
African Stars secured their progress after eliminating Gabonese side Mangasport on the away-goals rule following a 3-3 aggregate draw. The Namibian champions overturned a 3-1 first-leg defeat by winning the return match 2-0 in Tshwane.
The victory set up a second-round meeting with South African giants Orlando Pirates, giving Kanalelo another opportunity to test his coaching credentials against PSL opposition.
His possible return to South Africa comes with considerable experience of the country’s football environment. Kanalelo previously worked as a goalkeeper coach in the PSL under Ernst Middendorp and also served as an assistant coach with the Brave Warriors, Namibia’s senior national team.
Kanalelo also has a strong playing background in South Africa, having spent eight years with Mamelodi Sundowns before retiring in 2005. He later began his coaching career in Namibia.
Gallants had been in negotiations with Pantev as they looked to replace Phuti Mohafe, but the discussions reportedly collapsed after the two parties failed to agree on personal terms.
The club subsequently turned its attention to Kanalelo, with the Namibian tactician now understood to be the preferred choice to lead Gallants in the PSL.
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