Former Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana star Reneilwe ‘Yeye‘ Letsholonyane has officially been appointed as the new head coach of Botswana Premier League side, Matebele FC.
The club confirmed the appointment on Monday, September 1, 2025, with Letsholonyane signing a two-year deal.
This move marks a significant milestone in Letsholonyane’s coaching career, as it is his first professional head coaching role. He takes charge of a Matebele team that currently sits in 10th place with three points from three games.
Read: Nasreddine Nabi praises Kaizer Chiefs after hard-fought win against Golden Arrows
A New Direction for Matebele FC
In their official statement, Matebele FC expressed excitement about the new appointment and outlined their long-term vision. The club noted that Letsholonyane’s arrival aligns with their new focus on youth development.
“Coach Yeye joins the team at a time when our focus as a club is shifting towards younger players,” the statement read.
“As a club we have taken a deliberate decision to afford young players a chance to play premier league football from a young age and to amplify recruitment from lower divisions.”
The club believes this strategy will aid in developing local talent and preparing players for the national team. They highlighted Letsholonyane’s extensive experience with young players, citing his previous roles with the AmaZulu FC reserve team and the South Africa Under-20 national team.
A Coaching Journey Begins
Letsholonyane, a CAF A License holder, has been building his coaching credentials since retiring as a player. He has been part of the technical staff for the South Africa U20 national team and was involved with the Bafana Bafana squads for the COSAFA Cup and CHAN tournament.
Letsholonyane’s former teammate and close friend Siphiwe Tshabalala was also present at the unveiling, showing support for ‘Yeye’ in this exciting new chapter. On his own Instagram account, Letsholonyane shared a statement filled with gratitude and excitement for the journey ahead.
A South African Showdown
Letsholonyane’s first match in charge will be a highly anticipated clash against a familiar face.
On Saturday, September 13, 2025, his Matebele side will travel to the Royal Aria Stadium to face Black Lions, coached by fellow countryman Owen Da Gama.
This match, kicking off at 16:00, will be a true test for both coaches as they aim to lead their teams up the league table.