It is the last day of the June school holidays, instead of these children preparing for tomorrow as the schools reopen, they are in their soccer kits playing their hearts out. They do not care if they wake up tomorrow tired or not they told themselves that on the last day of our June school holidays, we are playing.
Tsakane ext 19 soccer pitch (Hlanganani Str) has been hosting these tournaments for years now showcasing nothing else but skill from 11-year-olds to 16 year Olds. Mad skills and crazy celebrations are the order of the day. Play begins at 9am till 4pm with nothing but matches back to back. Coaches also join in with nothing but howls and screams if goals are missed.
Coach Muzikayise Zwane is the organizer and founder of these tournaments, there are 16 teams in total, and the referees, and linesmen, are also top tier with their skills, they are also young preparing themselves for the future if they ever choose to go in the soccer route. Everyone on this pitch is self-taught by just watching soccer matches on TV no one belongs to any fancy academy.
The community applauds coach Muzi’s hard work for this initiative. The youth of Tsakane ext 19 do not have any resources or recreational facilities that may aid in strengthening their skills or helping them to develop certain skills. It is wonderful because these tournaments keep them off the street and prevent them from drugs and alcohol.
It is amusing to watch other teams play with one another, today two teams were wearing identical kit there only difference between the two were soccer boots and captain armbands, which the confusion to a lot of us including the referee. We couldn’t tell which team won or lost because of the identical kit.
At the end of the day five teams mattered, the winners and the losers some cried some has so much fun and cannot wait to come back and win the tournament next year in June. ‘we need these tournaments every month’ one parent said, ” not only does it help us who sell snacks it keeps these children in line.”
Medals and trophies do give these children hope to continue playing and to laugh about who missed the penalty. Who was the man of the match.. who had the loudest cheer from the community and who scored a hat trick and who’s so. soccer Sox has the biggest holes.
These tournaments bring food to other people’s tables and pocket money for some since schools will reopen tomorrow, at least one child will go to bed with a proper meal tonight and lunch money for school tomorrow. These tournaments need sponsorship because they contribute to the community of Tsakane ext19 and they shape these young people a more focus and help is needed.
The organizer (Muzikayise Zwane) has no one but himself and other coaches contributing from their own pockets with the help of the parents whose children participate in these tournaments. Muzi not only organize these tournaments he provides nets, balls, whistles and flags from his own pockets, he truly is dedicated to helping our children to soccer. Let’s hope he finally gets the sponsorship he deserves because he has been knocking on so many doors and still no one has answered.
Article by ThuliMZ
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