August Makalakalane

Augustine Makalakalane (born 15 September 1963) is a South African former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a midfielder. August Makalakalane's style of play as a midfielder was characterized by his ability to play a variety of positions and his skill in creating and scoring goals. His playing style was versatile, allowing him to adapt to different roles on the field and contribute to his team's success. Makalakalane's contributions to the game were recognized both at the club and international levels, and his legacy continues to influence future generations of players. Commonly acknowledged as one of the best midfielders in South African football.

Makalakalane began his career in 1984 with the band Jomo Cosmos. In 1987, he won the South African championship with the club. In 1990, he moved to Swiss FC Zürich, playing in the second division. In the 1989/1990 season, he was promoted to the first league with them. During the 1992/1993 season, he left there for second-division FC Baden. He played there until 1995, and then returned to FC Zürich. He spent the 1995/1996 season there, and then moved again to FC Baden, where he played in the 1996/1997 season.

In 1997, Makalakalane returned to South Africa, where he became a player for Mamelodi Sundowns. In the 1997/1998 season, he won the South African Championship and the South African Cup with them. In the 1998/1999 season, he played for Wits University, after which he ended his career.

Between 1992 and 1996, Makalakalane played 14 games for the South African national team. In 1996, he was called up to the team for the African Cup of Nations. He played there in matches against Cameroon (3:0) and Egypt (0:1), and South Africa became the winner of the tournament.

In 2002, three years after retiring from football, he took over as interim manager of the Black Leopards.

In 2009, Makalakalane became coach of the Banyana Banyana, South Africa's women's national team. In 2010 he was at the center of a scandal, because he allegedly asked for sexual favors from his players in exchange for a place on the team. In 2011, following the failure to qualify for the World Cup, his contract was not renewed by the South African Federation. At the helm of the national team, he obtained a second place and two third places at the African championships.

After leaving the leadership of the women's national team, he was appointed coach of the North-West University football team.