Young Mbombela soccer player qualifies for 16-day USA tour
This aspiring soccer player’s family wants him to get the exposure he needs in USA, although they need financial assistance for this.
An aspiring young soccer star is one of a group of players chosen for the U17 team that will embark on a 16-day USA tour.
Junior Sihlangu, a learner of St Mark’s International School in Mbombela, will fly to New York with his teammates from the Siyadlala Football Academy in April next year.
Junior qualified for the tour after he had attended soccer trials organised by the academy at Mbombela Stadium last June. He was selected to be in the final squad that will be part of the academy’s exposure programmes going forward.
By virtue of him being selected, he qualified to join the U17 team as they play no fewer than six competitive matches against soccer clubs, academies and university teams like Rhode Island and Mansfield, with the hope of securing scholarships and/or pro contracts.
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According to his mother, Smangele, the family is proud of his achievements. “I am happy for him and I believe this trip will give him the exposure he needs for his football career.”
She said they were supposed to travel to the USA later this year, but the date was postponed to 2025.
Every player selected is expected to cover their own expenses, and the Sihlangu family said as much as they want their 16-year-old son to go to the USA, they do not have enough funds for this.
This soccer player is in need of donations from the community in order to realise his dream of becoming a professional football player.
He is required to raise R35 000 for this tour and this amount excludes getting his visa.
“It includes matches, accommodation, meals, transport, airport transfers, medical insurance, flight tickets, sightseeing and many other activities,” explained Smangele.
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Those who want to assist this young player can contact Smangele on 064 017 9491 or Bhuti, his father, on 081 340 5714.
