LIMPOPO – The competition takes place in October and Hoërskool Louis Trichardt has come on board to help the team prepare for their adventure under the tutelage of Coach Mbishi Mokwena.
The team takes the short, 15 km drive to Louis Trichardt three times a week where they practice on the the high school’s sports field.
“Benny’s only has a gravel field which is not ideal for preparing for international competition,” explains Mokwena. “Hoërskool Louis Trichardt has been very supportive. They allow us to use their facilities every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This allows our boys to get used to playing on grass fields,” he continues.
The Benny’s team has also played in a friendly’s tournament against teams from three other schools in Limpopo to ensure they keep their competitive edge.
The Limpopo Academies Soccer Challenge was attended by Benny’s Sports Academy, Aubrey Sports Academy, Nubian Kings Academy and Limpopo Sports School of Excellence. It is primarily a high school tournament with each academy bringing their top team from the various age groups.
“In an attempt to prepare our boys for the competition, we decided to bring our u/12 team to compete against the bigger boys.
“The exercise proved to be fruitful as we convincingly won a game and drew the second game,” says Mokwena. “We have been warned to expect the boys from the other competing countries to be bigger which could be intimidating. That is why we wanted to expose them to bigger players before we leave for Paris.”
Mamelodi Sundowns scouts Trott Moloto and Ike Pule attended the tournament and four players from Benny’s were selected to attended training at the club, but no further negotiations will take place until the team returns from France.
Mokwena mentioned Khaya Ndlela as a player who will be crucial to the team in Paris for many reasons.
“He is left footed and is able to balance the left side of the field,” he explained. “He is fast and knows how to keep his opponents under pressure.”
Khaya is from Johannesburg and is a boarder at the school. “He is more familiar with different styles of play than the local players are and has played against a variety of schools. So, he is not easily intimidated even though he is of small stature,” he explains.
Mokwena believes he will be a good influence on the boys when the travel overseas where he will help to keep the players calm in the new environment.
Khaya is the youngest of four children. His older brother, Sthembiso (19) is also serious about soccer as he plays for the Polokwane United Academy.
He will be joining an unnamed professional club once he completes matric.
Khaya looks up to his older brother and when he discovered he had skills of his own he also wanted to attend a soccer academy.
His brother did research and decided Benny’s would be a suitable academy for his brother to hone his skills.
Khaya’s dream is to play for Bafana Bafana one day and Benny’s is helping him to prepare for a promising career.
Once in France, he says he wants to show off his Kasi style.
“I want to learn as much as possible to come home and tell my friends and family about it,” he gushes.
