Raymond Mdaka is a South African football coach known for his tactical expertise and leadership. Born in Ga-Mokgwathi village, Limpopo, he has been involved in football for many years. Mdaka holds a CAF A Licence, which qualifies him as a top-level coach in African football. He has coached teams like Marumo Gallants and South Africa’s U20 national team. His coaching philosophy emphasizes possession-based football and attacking play. Mdaka admires Pep Guardiola’s tactics and applies similar strategies to his teams. His journey from a teacher to a respected coach highlights his dedication and passion for the sport.
Raymond Mdaka Profile
Full Name: Raymond Mdaka
Date of Birth: January 1, 1970
Age: 55 years (as of 2025)
Place of Birth: Ga-Mokgwathi village, Limpopo, South Africa
Nationality: South African
Education: High School: Gwambeni High School, Xihoko
College: Giyani College of Education (Teaching Degree)
Coaching Certification: CAF A Licence
Early Life
Raymond Mdaka was born in Ga-Mokgwathi village, Limpopo, South Africa. He grew up in a close-knit community where football was more than just a sport—it was a way of life. From a young age, he showed a passion for the game, spending hours playing with friends on dusty fields.
His early years were shaped by the support of his family and local mentors. Though resources were limited, he remained determined to pursue his dreams. Initially, he trained as a teacher, but his love for football kept pulling him in a different direction.
Over time, Mdaka decided to leave teaching behind and focus on coaching. He started working with small teams in the ABC Motsepe League, gaining valuable experience and learning the tactics of the game. His ability to inspire players and his keen understanding of football quickly earned him respect.
These formative years laid the foundation for his coaching career. His journey from a village footballer to a respected coach shows his dedication, perseverance, and passion for the sport.
Education
Raymond Mdaka completed his high school education at Gwambeni High School in Xihoko. After that, he pursued a teaching degree at the Giyani College of Education, where he graduated as a teacher.
Despite earning his teaching qualification, Mdaka’s passion for football remained strong. He later obtained a CAF A Licence, which is a high-level coaching certification in African football. This qualification helped him advance in his coaching career and gain recognition in South African football.
Mdaka also worked as a SAFA instructor, where he trained and assessed aspiring coaches. His background in education played a key role in shaping his coaching style, as he believes in teaching players both technical skills and tactical awareness.
His journey from a trained teacher to a respected football coach highlights his dedication to learning and growth.
Age
Raymond Mdaka was born on January 1, 1970. As of 2025, he is 55 years old.
Parents
There is limited publicly available information about Raymond Mdaka’s parents.
Family
Raymond Mdaka was raised in a large family. He was the sixth of nine children. His family supported his passion for football, even when he decided to leave teaching to focus on coaching.
Career
Raymond Mdaka has been involved in football for many years. He started coaching ABC Motsepe League teams in the early 2000s. Some of the teams he coached include Xihoko Mountains and City Pillars’ Young Stars.
Later, he worked as an assistant coach at Dynamos, a now-defunct football club. He assisted several coaches, including Jacob Sakala, between 2006 and 20071.
Mdaka also worked as a Safa instructor before joining Marumo Gallants in October 2021. He became the caretaker coach of Marumo Gallants and helped the team improve its performance.
In 2024, he was appointed as the manager of South Africa’s U20 team. His preferred formation is 4-2-3-15.
FAQs
Who is Raymond Mdaka?
Raymond Mdaka is a South African football coach. He has coached several teams, including Marumo Gallants and South Africa’s U20 team.
What is Raymond Mdaka’s age?
Raymond Mdaka was born on January 1, 1970. He is 55 years old as of 2025.
Where was Raymond Mdaka born?
He was born in Ga-Mokgwathi village, Limpopo, South Africa.
What teams has Raymond Mdaka coached?
He has coached Xihoko Mountains, City Pillars’ Young Stars, Dynamos, Marumo Gallants, and South Africa’s U20 team.
What is Raymond Mdaka’s coaching style?
He admires Pep Guardiola’s tactics and believes in keeping possession and attacking as a form of defense.