Football academy uplifts aspiring young stars in Mpumalanga
The City Choice Football Academy's aim is to nurture young boys' skills and expose them to great opportunities in the world of football.
Training teenage boys from Nsikazi and surrounds, the City Choice Football Academy aims to develop and expose young aspiring football stars to the world of soccer.
After a successful international friendly against Mbabane Swallows in eSwatini in September, the founding director and coach of the academy, Scotch Sibiya, said they are engaging in more friendlies in Botswana and also exchange programmes during school holidays to the Netherlands in 2024.
Sibiya said his vision is to nurture the young boys’ skills and expose them to great opportunities such as representing Mpumalanga in national teams.
“City Choice Football Academy is a hub for children in underdeveloped areas such as Msholozi, Likazi, Ngodini, Masoyi and others, so they can be empowered with sports skills and exposed to opportunities such as being scouted by national teams. We currently have 46 youngsters that make up four teams which are U11, U13, U16 and U17.”
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Sibiya said from the inception of the academy in 2019, the boys have show great improvement in their skills and talents as most enrolled at the academy without any knowledge about soccer.
He said the young boys were recently afforded the opportunity to play an international game in eSwatini as a way to showcase their skills and learn from their peers.
“We have also participated in the Nsikazi Developmental League. We always get the boys to participate in developmental leagues to learn more. Plans for 2024 are to establish teams for girls’ soccer as a way to portray inclusivity in the sport code.”
Sibiya said the success of the academy is made possible through sponsorships, donations and his two coaches who work tirelessly to nurture the boys.
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“We have been privileged enough to obtain training grounds at Nomanini Lodge in Plaston near White River. The children do not pay anything to join the academy. However, the parents are liable for the transport costs to training sessions.
We want to offer more to the children but lack training equipment and kit hampers us. We appreciate the help we have received, especially from the communities of these children. We call for more support and those who would like to help can contact me on 079 289 7844,” Sibiya said.
