Football club in Pienaar uses holidays to improve skills
FC Shenge coach Moosa Maphanga trains his team during the winter school holidays so they are prepared for leagues and tournaments lying ahead.
Schoolchildren are already enjoying the winter school holiday and some are putting their spare time to good use with soccer coach, Moosa Maphanga.
He runs the football club, FC Shenge, that he established in 2019. He coaches and teaches soccer to boys from Msogwaba between the ages of 13 and 17. He said the winter holiday is the perfect time for the boys to improve their skills and get ready for tournaments and leagues, instead of gallivanting in the streets.
On Wednesday June 28, the U13, U15 and U17 teams participated in a friendly tournament against various clubs in Pienaar.
“These boys are exposed to a lot of social ills which can hinder their success in school and life in general. I started this club to teach young boys about responsibility and how to be good men in their households,” Maphanga said.
He said the idea of starting a football club was suggested by a friend of his, who he played soccer with. “I love soccer and I have fallen in love with imparting my skills on the young ones. I used to play for Two for Joy Football Club when I was a youngster. I never thought I could be a coach one day.”
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Maphanga said he has seen growth in the boys, especially in their skills and success in soccer since the club’s inception.
He said the boys have played in leagues such as the Mbombela Developmental League. “I do not require the children to be experienced to join the club. I have seen great talent from the ones I started with.”
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He said he also seen a great improvement in their behaviour, and discipline in the team and in school work.
“I do see them become successful soccer players and I am doing all my best to get them into leagues and play against other teams from other provinces,” he added.
