Bucs Star Graces Mayoral Cup

With the Betway Premiership on recess, Orlando Pirates midfielder Sihle Nduli took time to help identify talent in his hometown in KZN when he was part of the Johannes Phumani Phungula Local Municipality Mayoral Cup over the weekend.

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According to one of the organisers, Sanele “Shoes” Shozi, Nduli, together with Sekhukhune United’s young goalkeeper Tsepo Mahauza, helped identify several talented players who were subsequently recruited by various Betway Premiership clubs.

These players include Luyanda Mbajwa, an 18-year-old right winger, who will be joining Siwelele DDC; Banele Setipa, a 16-year-old central midfielder, set to join Golden Arrows; Sibahle Msimango, a 20-year-old central defender heading to Siwelele DDC; and Khanyisani Ngcobo, an 18-year-old right back moving to Richards Bay FC.

In an exclusive interview, Shozi told Soccer Laduma that there is a wealth of talent around JPP Municipality, and Nduli’s presence was crucial in spotting these young players.

“Through the sports office of the JPP Municipality, they are the ones who told us that there is talent in their area and they want to expose it, and that's how the idea came about.

“They then decided to outsource for scouts, of which TM Scouts came on board to see how we can help them. Now, after seeing the talent, this will be an annual event which will also include other sporting codes. So next year we will be bringing in highly qualified coaches from other sporting codes as well, like netball, indigenous games and volleyball,” Shozi revealed.

Meanwhile, Shozi further stated that having professional players like Nduli and Mahauza helps the youngsters believe in themselves and their potential.

“It really helps them a lot because their presence shows the youngsters that you don't make it because you are coming from an uplifted area. Even if you are from rural areas, you can still make it in life. As long as you are humble, stay disciplined, train very hard and have a role model to look up to. That is what is going to give you belief.

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“So, it becomes much easier because they can engage them and ask them questions, and they answer them and help them on what to do to get opportunities. We also use Sihle and Tsepo as scouts. For example, Sihle had a tournament last year where he scouted players for Pirates. So, they really help a lot in identifying talent in the area,” Shozi concluded.

He then added that several higher learning institutions also took part in identifying talent, offering bursaries to help these young athletes further their studies while pursuing the sports they love.