My name is Diteboho Junior Maphiri and I play for velocity U17 in the Rand Central Local Football Association (RCLFA) league.
I started playing soccer at the age of seven and I developed the love of the game at around 11 years old. The reason why I play soccer is because I found it not just a sport but also a great way to express myself as a person.
My dream in life is to be a professional soccer player and play in one of the biggest leagues and teams in the world but also represent my country and being an idol to young people of South Africa.
I see myself playing in Spain because here in Velocity I am given the opportunity to get experience and play in this competitive area. My favourite PSL player is Themba Zwane and abroad is Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has been my role model ever since I started playing soccer.
I personally think that soccer in South Africa is the best in Africa and the competition, exposure and the hunger is just out of this world but more importantly, it gives the youth a opportunity to help their families come out of though situations caused by poverty.
I am very excited and looking forward to the international trip to Spain we will have this year. It will be my first experience to visit Spain and I am expecting to see the country and to play there because the football stage in Spain is very different from South Africa and I just can’t wait.
It’s exciting to play for Velocity, there’s just so much I have learnt playing in this club – things like tactics, discipline, leadership, teamwork and hard work. The club really helped me to grow as a player but also as a human being.
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