The Langaville Football Club has relaunched with a renewed focus on keeping young people off the streets, developing football talent and providing mentorship after officially affiliating with the Brakpan Local Football Association and SAFA.

The club, established in 2024, was founded with the vision of providing young people in Langaville with a structured environment where they could play football, develop their talents, and learn important life skills.

Chairperson Thulani Maseko told the African Reporter that the decision to relaunch was made after he became concerned about young people in the community losing their direction.

“I realised the kids were losing their way. They were going into the wrong hobbies, roaming the streets with no direction,” said Maseko.

He said that the opportunity to join the football association and participate in organised football enabled the club to strengthen its community work.

Maseko also said affiliation with the association and SAFA means the club can now participate in competitive football while creating opportunities to attract sponsors.

“It means we can play organised football. The kids can now get competitive matches, and we can attract sponsorships to help us achieve our goals of keeping the kids off the street and giving them a sense of belonging,” he said.

He added that affiliation is important because it provides players with protection and access to structured development opportunities. While the club has formally entered organised football, its core objective remains unchanged.

“Not much has changed other than us finally joining the association. The goal is still the same, which is to mentor kids and give them a sense of belonging,” he noted.

The club’s focus is on junior football, with teams ranging from U11 to U17. The club is currently affiliated with the U11, U13 and U15 divisions, with plans to add a U17 team next year.

Maseko stated that the club’s immediate goal is not necessarily promotion but rather to give young players meaningful competitive experience.

“Our main focus is for the kids to get proper development and competitive experience,” he said.

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The club hopes to finish the season in a respectable position while developing confidence, discipline and sportsmanship among its players.

However, like many amateur football clubs, the club faces financial and logistical challenges.

Maseko explained the club needs funding for transport, kits, affiliation fees, facilities and equipment, while retaining coaches and players is another challenge.

The club is also appealing for support from local businesses and the community, particularly for kits, footballs, training equipment and transport costs.

“We also need our own field because we are currently sharing space with other teams,” said Maseko.

The club currently uses fields provided by the association, including Bowman’s, Malandela and Buhlebemfundo grounds.

The chairperson said the long-term dream is to host home matches at Langaville Ext 6, where the club is based.

As the club looks towards the future, Maseko said it also carries the memory of a young player who died during a match.

“Last September 24, we lost one of our own. A young player collapsed and passed away during a match due to cardiac failure. It was a moment that broke our hearts as a club and as a community,” he said.

He added that the player would remain part of the club’s history and legacy. Maseko indicated that the club hopes to become more than a football team and eventually serve as a feeder club for talented young players across KwaTsaDuza.

Over the next three to five years, the club hopes to establish teams across multiple age groups, from junior to senior level; compete for promotion; run community programmes; and secure a stable sponsor.

According to Maseko, the ultimate goal is to produce players capable of competing at the highest level. He also emphasised the important role parents play in keeping the club going.

“We want to take this moment to thank the parents for their unwavering support sincerely. Your presence at games, your encouragement, and your commitment keep us going every single day.

“You are the backbone of Langaville FC, and we are truly grateful for walking this journey with us,” he said.

Maseko concluded that the club’s message to the community is simple: “To our players, always work hard and represent with pride.

“To our supporters, your presence matters. To the community and businesses, please walk with us. Together we can make Langaville a home for talent.”

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