Eight KwaZulu-Natal youngsters will depart Johannesburg’s O.R.Tambo International Airport for Sweden, on Friday, for the Gothia Cup soccer tournament taking place from Sunday.

Zarina Agherdien, coordinator of the Bluff-based team, the KZN Lyons, explained that selections for this opportunity took place at the Unity Cup in Johannesburg, which was hosted by her partners in football and development, the German International Soccer Academy-South Africa (GIS). Despite challenges, the boys managed to raise the required funding to pay for their tickets. 

The boys include: Raul Abrahams (Pietermaritzburg); Shaye Moody (Wentworth); Delon Taylor (Marianridge); Luwellyn Loots (Newlands); Braylen Roaskruge (Wentworth); Ezra Hutchinson (Wentworth) and Mikhaeel Montgomery (Sydenham), and Ansley Cloete (Mariannridge).

Mariannridge friends Taylor,16, and Cloete,17, managed to avoid socio-economic problems in their community to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime. Both boys are in Grade 9. Delon is a midfielder, while Ansley is a goalkeeper. Delon and Ansley will be competing in the under-18 squad and claim that they are worthy candidates for this international footballing experience. 

 Agherdien said the Gothia Cup is the world’s largest football tournament, attracting teams and, more importantly, scouts from across the world, providing valuable exposure and elite competition. 

They worked tirelessly to earn this opportunity and honed their skills by competing notably in the eThekwini u.16 development league in 2024.

Ansley’s mother, Genevieve Anyigulile, spoke of her struggles in raising four children in an abandoned sports ground’s changing room for the past 12 years. Anyigulile said it was an emotional send-off. 

“Although we could not go to the bus station, my neighbours and I gave him a send-off. He has never been away from home, and he will now learn to be self-sufficient. He has good company and people around him. I know he will be a success,” Anyigulile said. 

Tracy Taylor encouraged her son Delon to stay focused and follow his dreams and regarded  Taylor as an unsung hero in the community who would one day inspire others.  

Agherdien together with football director Zaid Poultney made it their duty to know each of their players’ worth, mannerisms, and needs. 

“We see them as our own. What we are trying to do is difficult because most of them do not come from privileged backgrounds,” she said.

Poultney played football, and Agherdien played hockey, both following in their parents’ footsteps. She strongly believes that sports can change lives. 

“We know what it takes to reach a certain level. We need support and help because it is difficult to maintain everything and provide these boys with opportunities like this. As a society, people have become self-absorbed and selfish. There is no sense of community left,” she said. 

Agherdien said they follow the motto of getting the boys off the pavements and streets. She said two players in the club received partial scholarships at two reputable schools.

“This is the holistic approach. Sometimes we dip into our own pockets to assist the boys despite us having our own families and responsibilities. The club aspires to have its own fully fledged soccer academy to keep these boys off the streets. We strive for an inclusive and equal opportunity for all,” she said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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