Simon Marange Appointed Assistant Coach at Upington City FC After Orlando Pirates Exit
Zimbabwean football coach Simon Marange has been unveiled as the new assistant coach at South Africa’s Upington City FC, marking a swift transition following his recent departure from Orlando Pirates.
The 34-year-old will now serve under newly appointed head coach Abraham Mongoya at the Motsepe Foundation Championship club.
Marange, who had been part of Orlando Pirates’ coaching setup for seven years, gained notable recognition for leading their U18 side to victory at the 2018 Future Champions Tournament. Following his departure, speculation arose linking him with a return to Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), with clubs such as Manica Diamonds and Scottland expressing interest.
However, Marange confirmed that despite receiving offers, he intends to remain in South Africa for the foreseeable future.
“I’ve had conversations with a few club officials back home. They shared some exciting plans and visions for their teams,” he told NewZimbabwe.com. “But at this stage, I’ve decided not to make a move to Zimbabwe, though I’m not ruling it out in the future.”
While a move back to Zimbabwe remains a career aspiration, Marange stated that the timing isn’t quite right.
“Coaching in the Zimbabwe Premier League is something I’ve always aimed for, but now is not the right time. For the moment, I’ll be continuing my journey here in South Africa,” he added.
Most recently, Marange was at the helm of Zimbabwe’s U23 national team—the Young Warriors—during the 2025 COSAFA Cup held in South Africa. Though the team exited at the group stage, they closed out their campaign on a high note with a 3-1 win against Mozambique, ending a goalless run and claiming their first victory of the tournament.
The standout performer in that match was Thandowenkosi Ngwenya, who scored twice in the first half to give Zimbabwe a lead they never relinquished. Despite finishing level on four points with South Africa, the Young Warriors were eliminated on goal difference.
Marange’s recent international experience, combined with his developmental success at Pirates, positions him as a valuable asset for Upington City as they prepare for the upcoming season.
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