Rising Dongwe team are ready for step-up
Good things take time - this is the philosophy MK Academy coach Bulelani Fundelo believes has driven the team to new heights this season.
Before the soccer season was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MK Academy was second on the Safa regional league log, three points off the leaders.
The team has had a successful 2019/2020 season, winning a string of cups, including the Nelson Mandela Inauguration Cup, Mqela Supa Cup, Mzamo Super Cup and also representing the region at the Nedbank Cup regional playoffs.
We want to develop our
“own. Most of our players are from our academy - something we are now reaping the benefits of,” Fundelo said.
The team, founded in 2010, are the only squad from Dongwe, in Whittlesea, to play in the regional league.
We have a lot of talent and “we believe in it.
Most of the first team
“players are from our Under 13 academy and 11of the senior squad,” Fundelo said.
MK Academy lost only one game this season, letting in only one goal from open play, and proving the soccer adage that champion teams are built on a great defence.
You cannot win a match if “you cannot score goals,” said
Fundelo, when the team were headed to Mthatha to play in the Nedbank Cup playoffs.
Even if we get to penalties,
“we will always have a good chance to win.” Fundelo also believes a team needs the 12th man - a home crowd support base that gives the team an edge on the field.
The first team players have “really been exemplary, showing the youngsters how to be disciplined both on and off the pitch.
But the supporters have
“carried us further than we could have ever gone. The home games were packed.
We have a lot of people
“donating everything from funds to transport because they have adopted this team as theirs.” The team s initiative to focus
’ on education has also endeared them to fans.
Not everyone will be a
“professional football player, which is why we must excel academically as well,” Fundelo said.
Players Khanyiso Madonono and Lucky Mbatsha graduated from Walter Sisulu University last year, adding to the four players who have pursued higher education.
Our academy is not about
“grooming players for on the pitch excellence only, but we support them at school as well.”
While the resumption of the season is still uncertain, Fundelo said he was happy with what they had achieved and that the team was ready for the step-up. I thank everyone who has
“got us here.
Our president, Madisi
“
Dastile, is running the team from his pocket. The technical staff, Themba Cengci and Brian Funda, have been amazing. Funda said: We are getting
“our due. It is payback time.”