Soccer legend teams up with district

THE uThungulu District Municipality will partner with Jomo Cosmos Football Club and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife to host a Mayoral Cup soccer tournament in Zululand to scout for potential future soccer stars.

This after legendary player Jomo Sono and CEO of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Bandile Mkhize, pitched the idea to councillors at the uThungulu District Municipality Executive Committee meeting on Wednesday.

Sono said many top class players hailed from this region in the past, but the numbers have since declined.

‘Many KZN children are not exposed to talent scouts and a local Mayoral Cup will provide them with an opportunity to be identified.

‘There is so much talent hidden all over the place, but it is hard for youngsters to travel to Johannesburg,’ Sono said.

‘Every December, the club hold trials over a two-day period with at least 600 children.

‘Since I have acquired business interests in Port Durnford, I would like to partner with the district to develop players and help fight social problems.

‘After the tournament we would like to establish a league to allow youngsters to develop further, as well as host coaching clinics in more areas,’ he said.

Details of the event will be finalised in due course and the tournament’s winning team will play a friendly match against Jomo Cosmos FC.