Yo! Team makes Ekurhuleni League

The team had been playing in the Springs Local Football Association League, which is the lowest level.

“We played in the play-offs last year and missed the opportunity by a small margin,” says 18-year-old Tshepo Nkabinde, the team’s coach.

It was at the beginning of this year they got another chance to make it through.

“This time we took it with both hands,” says Tshepo.

The boys will now play matches against teams from around Ekurhuleni, which gives them greater opportunity to be spotted by scouts.

Tshepo says he believes in the balance between practical and theory, when it comes to how the team plays.

He spends a lot of time teaching strategy, which he expects them to execute on the field.

Innocent Mayoyo, founder of Ayoba Yo Academy, says he is very proud of the progress the boys have made.

“I groomed Tshepo myself, from when he came here in 2009.

“Now he is leading these boys and teaching them what I taught him.”

Tshepo now plays in the ABC League, which is a regional competition.

Innocent says they are reaching milestones he always dreamed of.

“This is why I started the academy, to give talented boys the opportunity to be great.

“People can live good lives from playing professional soccer.”

Connect with us:

Do you have an interesting newsworthy story? Contact the newsroom on 011 812 4800 or send an email to Samantha Keogh (editor) samk@caxton.co.za, Izahn Krige (digital journalist) izahnv@caxton.co.za, Doreen Mokgolo (journalist) doreenm@caxton.co.za or Xoliswa Kali (journalist) xoliswak@caxton.co.za

For the latest breaking news in your community, follow us on Twitter @AfricanReport and like our Facebook page for daily news.

For news straight to your phone and daily weather updates, invite African Reporter on WhatsApp by sending a message with your name and surname to 079 408 9334.

To see what we get up to in the newsroom and in town, follow us on Instagram at african_report