Q&A with Tawanda “Teekay” Kaseke
At SPC Football, we celebrate coaches shaping the game across the world. In this interview, we meet Tawanda “Teekay” Kaseke — a UEFA B Licensed coach and CONCACAF A candidate with more than two decades of experience in football development.
From grassroots in Zimbabwe to professional and national team environments, Teekay has dedicated his career to women’s football, player development, and performance analysis. His story is one of passion, purpose, and perseverance — using football as a platform to inspire, educate, and change lives.
Q: Thank you for joining us, Teekay. Please tell our readers a little about you and your career in football so far.
A: Thank you, Mark, for everything you’re doing for the football world and for the opportunity to share my story on this platform.
I’ve spent over two decades in football, with a strong focus on women’s football, player development, and performance analysis. My coaching journey began in Zimbabwe and has since taken me through collegiate, semi-professional, professional, and national-team environments. I hold a UEFA B License, am currently a CONCACAF A License candidate and one of 3 substitutions (influencer) coaches in the world.
Football has always been more than a game for me — it’s a mission field to influence, inspire, and change lives through sport.
Q: What exactly is it about coaching football that you enjoy so much, Teekay?
A: Coaching football gives me the unique privilege of influencing lives through both structure and spontaneity. I love being on the pitch helping players grow, but also behind the scenes using analysis to inform smarter decisions.
One of my most exciting current roles is serving as a Substitutions Coach, where I track the impact of in-game changes using tactical and performance data. Substitutions are often underrated, but they can completely alter the flow or outcome of a match. That kind of hidden influence — being able to help a team win not just through what happens in training, but through what happens in the 60th, 75th, or 85th minute — is something I thrive on.
Q: What is your biggest achievement in football to date, and what are your short-, medium-, and long-term goals?
A: Some of my proudest moments include winning the treble with Polk United in our first season, capturing the academic state championship with my high-school team, and helping several players progress to college or professional levels.
But one of the most innovative things I’ve introduced is the use of real-time substitution data analysis — our substitutes accounted for over 30% of goal contributions last season.
My short-term goal is to continue refining this substitution-impact model with professional and national teams, especially in the women’s game. Long-term, I hope to build a centre of excellence focused on substitution strategy, youth development, and data-driven coaching across Africa and the U.S.
Q: You’re currently working with several teams at once — how did that come together?
A: A lot of it comes down to versatility. I work as a head coach, analyst, and substitutions consultant. Because I’ve built my own systems for tracking performance — especially around substitution impact — I’ve been able to offer teams something unique.
That’s led to opportunities with college teams, national youth squads, and semi-professional clubs looking to modernise their decision-making processes from the bench.
Q: You’ve developed this unique role as a Substitutions Coach. How did that come about, and what kind of impact have you seen it make on team performance?
A: The journey into substitution-influence coaching has been one of the most exciting parts of my career. I was first introduced to the concept by Sammy Lander, who pioneered the role at the elite level. Through his mentorship and openness in sharing knowledge, I became one of the first coaches in my region — and one of the few globally — to fully embrace the position of a Substitutions Coach or Influencer.
The idea is simple but powerful: substitutions aren’t just about fitness or rotation — they’re tactical weapons. I began tracking metrics like goal contributions post-sub, points-per-substitution (PPS), substitution-timing efficiency, and even psychological readiness indicators. By using platforms like Spiideo, Wyscout, and custom tagging panels, I’ve been able to deliver insights that improve the timing, selection, and impact of our bench players.
At Polk United FC, for example, our substitutes were responsible for 35% of total goal contributions — a direct result of this structured, data-led approach. It’s a method I’ve since applied to national youth setups and women’s teams, ensuring every change made during a game adds value, not just fills space.
This role has opened new pathways for data-driven coaching, empowered deeper player-development conversations, and helped create an environment where tactical flexibility is proactive, not reactive.
Q: What inspires you to keep developing and innovating as a coach?
A: I see coaching as service — the ability to influence and uplift others through sport. Every player, every team, every data point represents potential. My goal is always to unlock that potential through knowledge, mentorship, and innovation.
Closing Thoughts
From Zimbabwe to the U.S., from grassroots fields to national teams, Tawanda “Teekay” Kaseke continues to redefine what it means to be a modern coach. His pioneering work in substitution strategy and player analytics proves that small details can drive huge performance breakthroughs.
At SPC Football, we’re proud to share stories like his that connect continents, communities, and careers.
👉 Looking for your next football coaching role? Browse global opportunities here: www.sportsprosconnect.com/jobs/
👉 Want to build your profile, connect with clubs, and access exclusive member benefits? Join SPC Football today.
👉 Check out Coach TeeKay’s SPCF profile page: https://spcfootball.com/profiles/coachteekay/
See you on the pitch soon!
