Byline: Andani Matumba

Monday, 27 March 2023

Ntokozo Mthembu, who is a soccer coach for Dinaledi Boys along with Senzo, has taken over the organising of social games and the Holiday Soccer Tournaments.

The duo held a soccer players’ workshop for teams from around eMbalenhle at Sasol Club on Tuesday, 21 March 2023 which would help them develop the attitude of becoming professional players.

To achieve this, former soccer players were invited to share their words of encouragement with the young players.

Emba stars players came out in numbers to attend the workshop.

Sunnyboy Mthimunye, who hails from eMbalenhle and is now a retired family man and fitness trainer, was invited as the first speaker.

Sunnyboy told the young players about his experience growing up in eMbalenhle and how he became a professional football player in one of South Africa’s top teams.

He even shared the list of professional football stars who were all products of Mbalenhale’s soccer teams.

“You are very fortunate that you were born in eMbalenhle. Mbalenhle is a prophetic word and we have a lot of professional players from this very same community,” said Sunnyboy.

He further warned the boys to lookout for corruption within the soccer industry.

“You need to fight. What we used to do when we got to Ajax, we even played with the parents,” he said.

Sunnyboy also encouraged the boys to obey and listen to their coaches as much as they listen to their parents at home if they wish to be successful at soccer.

“Respect your coach and if you don’t listen, you will be a street kid who goes from one club to another.

You were born in the right place, you chose the right career and you have the right parents.

Your career has money and you can make money.

Your life should reflect your passion, like your phone, conversation and surroundings should reflect what you love,” said Sunnyboy, encouraging the boys to turn soccer into a lifestyle.

The event was also braced by the presence of Bafana sebeko who grew up in Cross road, Ext 8 in eMbalenhle.

Bafana Sebeko motivating young soccer players during the player’s workshop

Bafana encouraged young starts to stick to one club.

“The club that you play for should be a reflection of your identity.

However, you can change clubs because you see potential for growth but we discourage the continuous change of clubs,” he said.
Sebeko also spoke against the use of toxic drugs and liquor.

“Toxic drugs and liquor are not meant to be consumed by someone who wants to be a professional player.
I used to drink on weekends, but come Monday we would be tired.

Along the way, I decided to stop drinking because I was no longer fit until I joined Black Leopards and Chipa Stars,” said Sebeko in his motivation.

The young players were urged to respect the sport and to follow the three D’s; discipline, dedication and determination.
According to Ntokozo Mthembu, talent alone cannot make you succeed in football.

He encouraged the players to follow the wise words they were given so that they can be able to grow within the sport.
At the end of the workshop, Mthembu was touched by the passion a young fellow from eMba Stars had for the game of football and he offered to buy him new soccer boots so that he could continue playing the sport.