Posted in News on Dec 19, 2015.
Kaizer Chiefs held a soccer clinic for young kids at the Green Point Athletics Stadium on Friday. The event was attended by Cape Town’s Executive Mayor Patricia de Lille, who was wearing an Amakhosi jersey for the occasion. “I am looking forward to Saturday’s match between Chiefs and Bidvest Wits,” she said.
Amakhosi will host the Clever Boys in an Absa Premiership fixture at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday evening, 19 December (kick-off is at 18:00).
Most of the about 80 kids participating in the soccer clinic were from the Young Bafana Soccer Academy, which is based in the Mother City. The age of the youngsters participating was between nine and 12.
There were also some kids present from the Vodacom Western Cape region, while 20 others were the lucky winners of a competition run by KC Mobile.
Chiefs coach Steve Komphela led the clinic, assisted by several players, including Itumeleng Khune, Simphiwe Mtsweni, Ovidy Karuru, Bongani Ndulula, Levy Mokgothu and Sibongiseni Ngcobo.
Former Amakhosi striker Kaizer Motaung Junior was also present to teach the kids about the finer details of the game of football.
Executive Mayor De Lille stressed the importance of Chiefs organising a clinic in the Mother City, pointing out how “sports can unite people”.
She had some advice for the kids: “If you work hard, you might become the next Siphiwe Tshabalala.”
De Lille closed her remarks by saying: “Long live Amakhosi long live!”
The Young Bafana Soccer Academy was set-up in 2010 and is dedicated to the holistic development of children from disadvantage backgrounds by combining education and football.
“It’s about the empowerment of the kids,” explains the academy’s technical director Moritz Kossmann, “it’s about the growth as a footballer and as a person.”
The youngsters are, for example, taught English, mathematics and they also get lessons to become computer literate.
“We are super happy for the kids,” continues Kossmann. “A big dream has come true for these kids. It’s truly inspirational what the Amakhosi players did. They were outstanding.”
Bulelani Makasi was one of the youngsters participating in the clinic. The nine-year-old is a huge fan of Tshabalala.
“Bongani and Kaizer taught me how to pass correctly and how to dribble,” says the talented striker, before adding with a big smile on his face. “They also gave me some tips on how to score.”
Tickets for the Absa Premiership encounter between Chiefs and BidVest Wits are on sale at all Computicket and Shoprite/Checkers outlets nationwide.
No tickets will be sold at the stadium. However, there is a Computicket at the Waterfront, which is close to the stadium.
Tickets for each match cost R60 for adults and R10 for children under the age of 12.