UWC have been fortunate to have one of the most experienced and knowledgable coaches in the country leading their football team this year after he took up the position of Football Advisor at the institution in 2013.
Aboobaker ‘Boebie’ Williams life and career started from humble beginnings in the small town of De Wetsdorp in the Free State before he moved to Johannesburg.
A coaching career that spans 46 years (and counting) started at the tender age of sixteen when he was a learner at Coronationville High in Joburg where, while he was in standard nine (grade 11 as it is known today), he coached Cardiff City in Mid-Ennerdale.
That is where his love for football and coaching got its roots under the guidance and mentorship of the late Rashied ‘Dynamite Khan’ and Ismael Bagaria.
The well-travelled coach holds numerous coaching licenses which includes CAF A license, DFB A license and KNVB YOUTH/INSTRUCTOR license, to name a few.
“In spite of being deprived of many rights, I still fulfilled many of my dreams by resiliently dedicating myself as certain opportunities arose.
“The poor background of my parents, served an extremely important purpose in my appreciation for anything that served as an improvement in life,” he said
Williams has had his fair share of National coaching duties when he was appointed coach of the National u12, u17 (1999-2002) and u20 (2002-2005) sides respectively.
Boebie was at the helm of Manning Rangers where he guided the National First Division side to avoid relegation in 2006 before taking up a a post at Ajax Cape Town as the Head of Youth in 2007.
He then continued to coach the youth of Cape Town when he took up the position of Head Coach at the Western Cape Sports School in Kuilsriver in 2008 before accepting the Football Advisor post at UWC.
There is no doubt Boebie has dedicated his life to developing football in South Africa and continues to do so with his numerous roles within the SAFA framework.
“As a boy and young man, I participated in athletics, cricket and gymnastics to become part and parcel of the of the sport crazy public,” he added.
His coaching abilities hasn’t stopped with football as the all-rounder is also a keen golfer, playing off an 11 handicap, as well as a junior golf coach.
Football qualifications
1988 – Football Association Preliminary Badge (ENG)
1994 – Confederation of African Football High Level Course (JHB)
1995 – DFB (German) B License course
1995 – The FA Coaching and Football Scheme (CPT)
1996 – Royal Dutch Football Federation Coaching Course (CPT and JHB)
1996 – Royal Dutch Football Federation Instructor Course
1998 – DVB (German) A License
2003 – FC Copenhagen International Coaching Course
2005 – SAFA Level 3 (Phase 1)
2013 – CAF A Licence
