Elite Sport and Nigel Hot Spurs’ U/13 players faced off during a soccer tournament at the Namia ground, in Duduza on Saturday.
Spurs won the game with a 2-0 lead, with some of the young players displaying talent and potential.
Speaking to coaches and team managers opened a can of worms.
Tsietsi Lekhudu, Motlatsi Mokoena, Thamsanqa Zwane, Sakhile Jwara and Linda Nhlapho said they host tournaments, because they have been waiting since February for the Nigel Football Association league to start.
The men said they have not been given any proper explanation on what is causing the delays, as they have already paid their affiliation fee.
“This is really breaking the standard of soccer in our township, and discouraging the players,” added the men.
They said the structure of soccer in South Africa from national level down to local level, is not inclusive.
“We don’t have access to information as local coaches, there are people without teams who have more access than us, with our passion and dedication,” they said.
They all agreed that their weekly tournaments involve each team contributing R10, which goes to the winning team.
“Some of us are unemployed, the money enables us to buy soap to wash the kits,” they added.
The managers and coaches said they can’t give up on the kids as that will contribute to increased crime levels.
“If you go around the community you see a lot of Nyaope smokers are boys known for their soccer talent,” they concluded.
Elias Mahlangu, chairperson of NFA sang a different tune.
He insists managers have been made aware of the fact that delays are caused by teams who have not affiliated.
He said a meeting is scheduled with club owners on Monday at the Duduza clubhouse.
“The main purpose of affiliation is to get players identifying cards, to avoid cheating,” said Elias.
