Tzaneen’s own riding the Siwele train

From Hudson Ntsanwisi high school, the 22 year old started playing soccer in the dusty streets of Dan village.

He started playing soccer at the age of eight, when one of his friends Wisani Tommy Mandlazi invited him to one of his training sessions.

Upon arrival they realised that they were in need of a goal keeper, and the coach Jerry Baloyi “Gwegwe” asked him to stand in for the day.

This was when Nyiko realised he had a passion for soccer. “I played as a goal keeper for almost 2 years from there on, until coach Gwegwe told me that he thinks I can make a great field player, I was then converted to left back”, said Nyiko.

Nyiko continued playing for the club for almost seven years, and while playing for the club, he was also part of Mavumbha primary school soccer team.

He then proceeded to Boabab Zero Fake FC, scooping best young player for the season in 2011/2012 and at that time they gained promotion from the SAB league to the ABC Motsepe league formally known as Vodacom league.

“My breakthrough was through school soccer, because during my high school life I represented both the school and the Limpopo Province nationally and that is where I was scouted by Mamelodi Sundowns”, said Nyiko.

He was invited to train with their ABC Motsepe team, the coaches liked what they saw.

“I became a provincial champion for ABC Motsepe league in the Free State, but we failed at the first division playoffs, but I was lucky enough to be selected in the SA National under 23 squad that face Egypt in an international friendly match.

Following this Nyiko was then scouted by to Bloemfontein Celtics to present.