Former Zimbabwe international Mkandawire, who made headlines after he was discovered begging in the Kempton Park area says he is ready to take a coaching role.

Mkandawire still based in Johansburg spoke to the Chronicle saying he wants to nurture youngsters. “I need to be in a club to coach and I am ready for the post,” said Mkandawire

Mkandawire, who had stints with AmaZulu in Zimbabwe, the University of Pretoria in South Africa and even played in India, made headlines last year when his sorry plight, where he had turned into a destitute in Johannesburg, was the subject of intensive media coverage either side of the Limpopo.

Having been spotted begging in Kempton Park, the story attracted widespread media coverage in South Africa and Zimbabwe, with South African radio and television personality, Robert Marawa, joining the bandwagon of those calling for the former footballer to be helped.

Zimbabwe international striker Tendai Ndoro played a leading role, calling for help for his countryman, while a number of high-profile Zimbabwean footballers and ex-footballers working in South Africa, including legendary Warriors skipper Peter Ndlovu, heeded the call to help Mkandawire.

SAFPU helped put Mkandawire into rehabilitation at the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria.

And, after they were released from hospital, the SAFPU leadership threw them into a coaching course, the CAF D licence, which they completed recently in a massive step towards their return to football.

The course was run by SAFPU in conjunction with the South African Football Association with the players union providing the funding for Mkandawire’s participation.