SIYABONGA Mnganga has always had a passion for playing soccer, but being asthmatic limited his chances of becoming a professional player.
The 23-year-old from New Germany took coaching courses after he matriculated in 2013 and has just recently opened his soccer academy called, Touch of Class Soccer Academy.
Mnganga goes around townships in the Durban area and searches for young talented soccer players to try and nurture their talents.
“There is so much talent out there but young boys end up doing the wrong things as they do not have the resources and platform to practice their sport.
ALSO READ: Highway maiden bowls em over
“In Durban there are a few soccer academies and if a young talented player does not get into AmaZulu and Golden Arrows academies, they lose hope and do not feel that they can make it in this sport.”
Before opening his academy, Mnganga was coaching soccer in some of the Highway schools including his former school’s first team (Pinetown Boys’ High School).
“The academy currently trains 25 boys between 12 and 15 years. We train at Pinetown Boys’ and the players come from Clermont, KwaNdengezi, Inanda and KwaMashu,” said Mnganga.
As the academy is new and registered as an NPO, Mnganga said getting the boys to the field is quite challenging as they do no have enough money for transport.
“For now, I have to use money from my own pocket. Just last Saturday, we could not train as we were short of transport money.”
Mnganga said this pains him as they are only training once a week.
ALSO READ: Grant toes the line for gruelling Amashova
“I feel that if I fail to get them here every Saturday, it will depress them.”
Apart from playing soccer, Mnganga said he also wants to add a lifeskills programme.
“Young boys need to be guided from an early age and need to realise that life does not always turn out the way we want it, there are always challenges. Also they need to always have something else to fall back on if soccer does not work out,” said Mnganga.
He added that he also wishes to work with the big academies to make this a success while helping the boys.
“I would like to thank Pinetown Boys’ for allowing us to use their sport grounds.”
l If anyone would like to help this young man with transport fees or soccer kits, contact him on 071 283 3696 or email siyabongamnganga7@gmail.com
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
