Joburg-based soccer outfit Amabhubesi FC are hungry for more spectatorship.
This comes as they look to increase their presence in the community and become a central point of reference for budding soccer talent.
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Founder of the community-based soccer side Promise Nkomo has for more than a decade been a passionate soccer fanatic, and as a Zimbabwean expat, fancies himself the biggest foreign supporter of Premier Soccer League (PSL) team Kaizer Chiefs.
He said he realised the need to get involved in the upliftment of amateur soccer in South Africa through his active involvement with the PSL club.
“I’ve had the vision of launching my own soccer team since I was young. Once I settled in South Africa, I launched this amateur soccer team, with its base at End Street South Park,” said Nkomo.
The club, which was formed in 2018, has four sides, ranging from u-9 through to u-15, which compete across various lower league and development-based football tournaments in different parts of Joburg. Nkomo said his club’s involvement in the various soccer events that are held has warranted for more financial and logistical support.
“We’re hoping that through our involvement in some of these leagues, and possible participation in others, we hope to attract scouts and sponsorship. What has been particularly inspiring during the last 12 months, however, has been the support of the parents. They, like their children, have high hopes for the future,” explained Nkomo, who, up until now, has been funding the club from his own pocket.
U-11 captain at the club Zonke Phakhathi seems to have flourished at the development club and already, as young as he is, has some big soccer ambitions.
“My parents are very happy to see me enjoy my soccer. I hope to one day play soccer overseas so I can support my family financially,” said Zonke.
