Sandton-born soccer prodigy, Zenzonhle Nkosi, hopes to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional soccer player this year as he ventures to Spain to participate in an international soccer training programme.
The young soccer player first picked up a ball at the age of four. The passion was evident and the young man joined a soccer club at the age of 14. “In a way, my story is a little unique because I did not join a [soccer] club at the age of six like other people,” he said.
However, shortly after joining the club, the young star sustained an injury due to a knee condition. “It was quite difficult to play for long periods of time. I got injured towards the end of the season so I didn’t play for two years.”
During his two-year break, Zenzonhle was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. “Basically every complication that you can think of just ended up happening so I didn’t play for a long time.”
With the help of perseverance and motivation, he recommitted himself to training at the age of 16. “After that, I made a pledge to myself that I would never take this [soccer] for granted. Ever since then have I decide to commit to training every day and just chase the dream.”
Zenzonhle admits that soccer has kept him out of trouble. “I was lucky that football has been a saving grace because for a very long time I thought that I struggled to fit in. I was bullied physically because I was usually smaller than other people in my grade. I think there was this desperation to fit in with the rest of the crowd and it could have easily resulted in me doing all of the wrong things.”
Eager to maintain his drive and expand his horizons, Zenzonhle said that he sent out an estimated 1 500 emails to a number of soccer clubs and programmes abroad. After a few rejections, he received a successful response from a club in Spain. Once the programme was completed the club would then decide if it would like to offer the player a professional contract.
“This all happened during my prelim exam I wasn’t really sure if I would go for it. But things escalated once I spoke to the club and it became an actual opportunity.”
He has since documented his journey on YouTube, titling it the ‘365-day challenge to a pro contract’.
The youngster hopes to one day give back to his community and show appreciation to his parents. “I don’t necessarily want to pay my parents back because I don’t think I would ever be able to do that but I just want to show them my appreciation.”
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