From Unpaid In Algeria To PSL Promotion: Inside Mahao’s Incredible Tactical Rescue Mission
Tshepo Mahao’s growth as an analyst has taken another significant step, after he played a small role in helping Kruger United win the Motsepe Foundation Championship and secure promotion to the PSL top flight for next season.
Mahao joined the club for the final four matches of the campaign, all of which they won under coach Abram Mongoye.
The Village Boys sealed automatic promotion with two games to spare following a convincing 3–1 victory over Black Leopards this past weekend, a result that also secured the Motsepe Foundation Championship title.
Their rise was sparked by Mongoye’s return to the club in October last year, when the team was sitting ninth on the table.
Mahao and Mongoye share a strong working relationship, having previously collaborated at Sekhukhune United.
There, they helped guide the club to promotion to the PSL top flight in the 2020/21 season under coach McDonald Makhubedu.
Mahao became available earlier this year after leaving Algeria, where he had been working alongside former Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer.
The South African analyst had joined the Algerian side after departing Durban-based AmaZulu at the end of last season, having initially arrived at the club in March.
He brings extensive PSL experience, having previously worked with AmaZulu, Royal AM, and TS Galaxy, which he left at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
At JS Kabylie, Mahao served as a performance analyst, gaining valuable exposure—particularly with the club competing in the CAF Champions League group stages, which broadened his experience of North African football.
However, his time in Algeria was cut short due to dissatisfaction over the prolonged non-payment of his salary.
With no improvement in the situation, Mahao opted to leave and explore a return to South Africa, which ultimately led to his reunion with Mongoye and a successful promotion campaign.
He is keen to remain with Kruger for next season’s topflight, provided both sides agree on the new terms.
Mongoye, meanwhile, is highly regarded by former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena, who previously recruited him at Black Poison.
