Youngsters dream big at at Ke Yona
Hundreds attend soccer trials
With nothing more than their boots in hand and hope in their hearts, some 400 aspirant footballers converged at the Peter Mokaba Stadium to take part in the Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search last week.
They travelled from as far as 150km just to play a single 20minute try-out match with the intention of catching the attentions of coaches Shakes Mashaba, Mike Mangena and Khabo Zondo.
The football talent search no longer has the feel of a glorified trial. The progress of SuperSport United winger Aubrey Modiba has given participants with talent and determination hope that they too can make it to the PSL.
Midfielder Thabang Moloko, from Seshego outside Polokwane in Limpopo, said for him football is a chance to get out of the hardship of life in the townships.
“As youth we face many challenges and playing football is a chance to get away from it all,” the 19-year-old told Sowetan.
“I hope that I can be spotted so that I can make a future for myself in football. I don’t do much outside of football. I don’t drink or smoke so I am serious about this.”
For Kaizer Chiefs fan David Ratanga it was a dream come true to play at the 46 000 capacity stadium.
The 21-year-old defender from Tzaneen dreams of playing for Amakhosi one day.
He was at the same stadium earlier in the year when Chiefs beat Baroka 2-1 but was disappointed that they ended another season without a trophy.
“Maybe after the disappointment of the last three years they will give youngsters a chance to shine,” he said.
Moloko and Ratanga will be crossing fingers they are selected for the final team that will play against either one of the Nedbank Cup finalists, Maritzburg United or Free State Stars.