EXCLUSIVE: The three coaches who shaped Chiefs legend Yeye’s career path

Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane has detailed the critical influences that shaped his coaching philosophy and helped him land his first professional head coaching role in Botswana.

The Chiefs legend, who recently took the reins at Matebele FC in September, revealed that his current transition from celebrated player to head coach was guided by three prominent figures in South African football.

The Three Pillars of Yeye’s Philosophy

Letsholonyane disclosed that his current coaching style is a direct result of combining the lessons learned from coaches Vela Khumalo, Raymond Mdaka, and Molefi Ntseki.

“The coaches that I have worked with are obviously from the national teams at different levels: U-17 coach Vela Khumalo, U-20 coach Raymond Mdaka, and Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki,” Letsholonyane told Pan-Africa Football.

“For me, those three individuals [coaches] have played a huge role in shaping my experience and helping me to be where I am today as a coach.”

Letsholonyane emphasised the value of learning from their different approaches, noting that he cherry-picks the best strategies to build his own unique identity as a gaffer.

“You know, as they are three different coaches with three different managerial styles, I find it important to pick up whatever I feel I need from the three, combine it, and add the insights I gained while I was playing under the coaches who were coaching me back in the days to become a better coach.”

Matebele Struggles Continue Under Chiefs Legend

‘Yeye’ is currently facing a baptism of fire in the Botswana Premier League. His tenure began with a 1-0 away defeat to Black Lions on September 13, 2025, which saw him pitted against fellow countryman Owen Da Gama.

Since taking over, Letsholonyane has endured four defeats and two draws, leaving Matebele FC second from the bottom of the Botswana Premier League table with only five points after nine games.