Former Bafana Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns star Brian Baloyi was recently appointed the Head Goalkeeper Coach of Espanyol’s academy in South Africa.
The 48-year-old, who won 24 caps for the national team, has joined forces with the Spanish side, who recently opened an academy in South Africa. They held trials over the past two weekends from 23 April to 1 May and attracted well over 5 000 hopeful players.
Baloyi was impressed with the turnout, saying: “The interest in the Espanyol academy has been unbelievable. We’re getting highly skilled and talented youngsters coming from all walks of life. This is the first step of many to come.
“Personally, being involved in the academy of a LaLiga club is a big thing and a responsibility I do not take lightly. It’s brilliant, a real honour. More so in that one of my goalkeeping icons, Cameroon’s Thomas Nkono, is a former Espanyol player and is involved with the goalkeeping department of the club.
“He has helped provide many opportunities for young Cameroonian goalkeepers and I look forward to going to Spain to meet him. There is a lot I can learn from him and I am hoping to also develop young talent like he has. I am eager and can’t wait for this academy to really kick off.”