PSL exposure a chance for young cadets to learn
CARLOS Soccer Youth Development Academy (CSYDA) founder Carlos Mtshamba wants his cadets to learn as much as they can when they take on two Premier Soccer League development teams this weekend.
Today the CSYDA cadets are taking on SuperSport United Academy at the TUT Campus in Pretoria.
Tomorrow they will be hosted by Bidvest Wits.
Against both teams, the first game will be the U13 side, followed by U15 and then the main game, U19, will be their last fixture.
Mtshamba, who coaches the West Bank-based top-flight football hopefuls, said they showed determination to compete against professionals.
“At training this week I was hardly shouting instructions to the players because they were very motivated and looking forward to share the stage with young professionals.
“And the most important thing is to build solid relations with these PSL clubs and to give these young Eastern Cape players exposure to topflight football. So they know how PSL clubs do things,” said Mtshamba.
He said they were there to learn and not to try and impress anyone by fighting for a win.
“I told them I don’t want them to come with that mentality of winning by any means, because they are here to take in as much information as they can.”
Mtshamba said the cadets will get a motivational talk from two PSL players, who will be sharing their stories with them.
“I have a surprise for them – SuperSport United star Thuso Phala will visit them at the hotel to speak to them about his life and struggles in football.
“And Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane will also be joining Phala to speak to the boys,” said Mtshamba.
The academy will hold trials for prospective recruits, who will receive a full scholarship to Dale College in King William’s Town and a spot in the three teams (U13, U15, and U19).
“Soon we’ll have our trials for 2019 intake. We’ll have one day in King at Dale and then another day at West Bank Prison.
“Because we are thinking for the young boys, who will be going there alone,
“They should start training now and make sure that they are fit, because you can’t do anything in football, even if you’ve got skills (without fitness).
“And they must also study, because the academy is a driving force for education. Hence we are giving them a chance to study at Dale, which is a good school.
“They must do both, because we’ll also look at their past school result, and if they are performing poorly we won’t accept them.” but they must come prepared.