“I slept in a toilet at Park Station in Johannesburg so I could make it to soccer training at Modderfontein Sports Complex.”
These were the hard-hitting words of Dino Ndlovu (30), a South African international soccer player, during his interview with Edenvale athlete Sipho Marima.
Dino detailed the beginning of his soccer career which kick-started on Modderfontein sports fields.
The striker plays for Zhejiang Greentown in China.
He is currently training with his team since China has lifted its lockdown.
The North West born athlete has played for Qarabag Agdam, Sundowns, Black Aces, Super United United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Bloemfontein Celtics and other international and national teams in his career.
Dino also played for Bafana Bafana where he made his debut in 2012.
One of his highlights was scoring in SA’s biggest victory in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier of 6-0 against Seychelles.
His career started at Platinum Stars Academy in 2009 at the age of 19.
As an underprivileged young man from Klerksdorp, he made the cut to attend trials for Platinum Stars.
During that time he was supported by a single mother with not very much to spare for extra expenses.
Dino said he didn’t have enough money for travel to attend training in Modderfontein.
“I would wake up at around 6am to hike to Johannesburg CBD and then I would take a taxi from Joburg to Modderfontein for training,” he said.
He said the week-long training for selection was a challenging, but also the most rewarding venture for the soccer player.
He would arrive late for trials every day although he woke up very early in the mornings because of the travelling distance.
On the last day of training he said he had no money to return to Modderfontein.
“My last resort was to find somewhere to sleep in Park Station.”
“I thought I was either going to sleep standing up or try and squeeze myself between the corridors of the station so I could go to my last training session,” said Dino.
Although his mom was worried, the determined soccer player would not be stopped.
“I did not have a bank account or any way for her to send me money.
“I sent her a message to let her know I was safe and she believed it,” he said.
Dino said he slept in a toilet that night.
“I was woken up by a street vendor who was cleaning her corner where she sold her fruits,” he said.
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The young Dino told the woman about his circumstances.
“I will never forget when she gave me a banana, apple, pear and R20.
“I got on a taxi to Modderfontein that morning,” Dino said.
Dino was chosen for the team on the last day of training.
“I was so happy. Coach Rhulani Mokwena gave me R200 to go back home that day and that’s how my career started,” he said.
Sipho and Dino spoke more about the soccer player’s highlights in his career.
According to Sipho, Dino scored the goal that took Qarabag Agdam to the UEFA Champions League.
Dino explained how amazing it was to play in front of 60 0000 people in the match against Kopenhagen.
“We had planned to introduce Qarabag Agdam to the world.
“The first half was the worst game we have ever played as a team,” he said.
According to Dino, their team conceded a goal one minute before half-time.
“Our coach said the opposition was going to come out guns blazing and they would only be vulnerable once or twice at the back.
“Six minutes after the start of the second half, the striker scored,” he said.
Dino urged youngsters to work hard and be themselves.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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