Rural soccer players try out for professional league

THIS weekend could mark the start of a professional soccer career for 10 rural Mtubatuba players selected to try out for Free State-based National First Division (NFD) team African Warriors.

The golden opportunity arose after Absalom ‘Scara’ Thindwa, retired Kaizer Chiefs mid-fielder, paid Mtuba Football Academy (FA) a visit earlier this month. Wanting to give talented soccer players from rural backgrounds the same opportunity he had, Scara’s intention was to select players he felt were promising enough for the professional leagues, and help them on their way.

Less than a week after his visit to Mtubatuba, Scara had identified Qwa Qwa’s African Warriors team as a potential first step in these players’ professional future. ‘Going from a rural soccer team to the professional leagues is a big step and a lot of pressure, which is why Scara wants the players to try out for a NFD team that is not planning on jumping up to Premier Soccer League (PSL) any time soon,’ said Sheldon Hughes, Mtuba FA Founder and Head Coach.

‘Scara said African Warriors wants to get a good team together to further develop before making the jump to PSL’.

Trials begin today (Thursday) and by Saturday afternoon the players will know who will stay in Qwa Qwa to begin their professional soccer career.

Believing self-discipline is the core of a person’s success, Hughes does not merely help his players improve their game, he helps them improve their lives in an attempt to keep them away from a life of crime.

Future Stars Academy was started last year for the same reason and founder, Themba Masango, is delighted with his players’ achievements thus far.