Taking the reins at Chiefs or Sundowns?

Torrealba’s coaching résumé notably comprises two of the clubs he played for during his playing career. In line with this trend, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could one day return to South Africa to take the helm at Chiefs or Sundowns, where to this day he is still held in high regard by the respective clubs’ supporters.

El Buda, as he is affectionately known, blazed a trail for Venezuelan footballers in 2005 when he and Rafael Dudamel signed for The Brazilians to become the first players from their country to feature in South Africa’s top-flight.

The diminutive former forward was an instant hit at Chloorkop before an acrimonious split resulted in him later joining rivals Chiefs in 2008. Torrealba then continued to impress at Naturena, albeit to a lesser extent, before returning to his homeland in 2011, and he openly encourages more of his countryman to follow his lead with a move to the Premiership.

“Football in Venezuela is still growing up,” he explains, by way of comparison. “There are a lot of things that have to change and improve in order to get to a better level and sometimes it looks like the players are growing more than clubs. We just need to keep working but, of course, I will encourage Venezuelan players to go to South Africa and live the experience of Mzansi.

“I still miss everything about the South African football and lifestyle. I hope all the people, supporters and the country as a whole is doing well because I’m always grateful for how everyone treated me and my family during my time there.”

Torrealba’s affection for South Africa still evidently runs deep and, while he remains committed to his current task at hand, he believes that the experiences he is gaining in his homeland will hold him in good stead if an opportunity to return to South Africa arises in the future.

“I would love to coach any of my former teams, of course, if the opportunity comes,” he concludes.

“I am currently learning a lot and getting experience as a coach and I have already coached in international competitions with both teams – two Copa Sudamericana’s and one Copa Libertadores with Estudiantes and one Copa Libertadores with Lara – so, definitely, to go back to South Africa would be fantastic.”

“I WOULD LOVE TO COACH ANY OF MY FORMER TEAMS.”