Soccer whizz needs funding

THE only thing standing between a talented 14-year-old Mitchells Plain soccer player and Manchester City is the R44 500 his single mother is struggling to raise.

Ziyaad Damonse is registered with the SA Schools Football Association and plays for the association’s Western Province team. Three weeks ago he played for Western Province in an inter-provincial tournament in Beaufort West, and was selected for the District Central team that is to play in Dubai and at Manchester City in April next year.

“I’m very happy (that Ziyaad made the squad) and very sad at the same time, as there’s a possibility I’ll have to tell him he can’t go because it’s a lot of money,” said the teenager’s mother, Nazlie Damonse.

Ziyaad started playing soccer for his community club, Woodlands FC, at the age of four, turning out for the under-6 side. He was awarded a soccer scholarship to attend Wynberg Boys’ High School in 2017 and is the youngest player in the school’s 1st team. He was invited to join the Old Mutual Academy and received the academy’s player of the year award in 2017.

“I’m very proud of him. He trains hard because he’s dedicated, and he’s achieved so much at such a young age,” said Nazlie.

Last month Ziyaad played in the Nedbank Challenge Tournament at Grey College in Bloemfontein, and was selected to play in the Nedbank International Tournament in Spain in June next year.

“He is very excited,” said Nazlie. “He told me, ‘When I’m in Manchester I’m going to get a big contract and send you a ticket for you to come over.’”

The family are battling to raise money to pay for Ziyaad’s trip to Dubai and England and his kit. All donations can be made to:

Nazlie Damonse

Capitec account:1122494228 Branch: 470010

For more information, call Damonse on 072 907 5998 or via nazleydamonse@gmail.com