I want to play in Belgium, says Cape’s Nyongo

KHAYELITSHA teen Tapelo Nyongo has joined an impressive list of local footballers to make it into the top flight leagues.

Nyongo, just 19 and from Town Two, has signed a threeyear contract with Durban Premier Soccer League side AmaZulu.

He follows in the footsteps of Mark Mayambela ( Djurgardens IF), Ayanda Patosi (Sporting Lorreken), Alfred Ndengane (Bloemfontein Celtic) and Cecil Lolo (Ajax Cape Town), all of whom hail from sprawling Khayelitsha.

Nyongo, known fondly as Tower, said he was adapting quickly to his new environment with Usuthu.

“I had a great match (a charity match against Bloemfontein Celtic) and I work very hard to get on the coach’s radar. I look forward to playing my first official game in the PSL,” he said.

The defender began showing potential while playing for amateur team Cape Town Liverpool.

He wanted to develop his talent and dreamed of playing for a big team.

In 2012, while in matric at Thembelihle High School, Nyongo attended trials at the Old Mutual Academy and was chosen for a spot at the academy.

Nyongo played for the academy in the ABC Motsepe league, winning trophies and beginning to attract attention. After a great show at the Nike Tournament of Champions, he was invited to try out for Bloemfontein Celtic, even thought he didn’t win a permanent place in the side.

Nyongo says he is grateful for the opportunity to wear the AmaZulu shirt, made famous by the team’s past legends such as Sugar Ray Xulu, George Dearnaley, Paul Bishop and Eric Ngidi.

“I feel welcomed by the whole team, the management is good and all the players are friendly. I feel like I am home,” he said.

Acknowledging that he came “from a rough place like Khayelitsha”, Nyongo said he wanted to be a “shining star, to give hope to other youngsters in the community”.

At AmaZulu, Nyongo joins a talented squad including the likes of Robyn Johannes, Ayanda Dlamini and another Capetonian, Darren Smith.

“Darren and I have became close friends. We understand each other because we are from the Cape.”

Although he misses his family, he’s focusing all his attention on his ultimate goal, a spot in the national under-20 squad, and eventually, Bafana Bafana.

“I also dream of playing overseas, and I like Belgium because they play a familiar style of football,” he said.