Kicking off a dream: Young Dalpark footballer features on SuperSport

A talented young footballer from Dalpark Ext 6 is still basking in the glow of his recent small screen debut. Liam Kanagan, a striker from the Pitso Mosimane Football Club (PMFC) in Boksburg, was featured alongside a select group of rising football stars from the club for a Youth Day special on SuperSport.

This also gave the 11-year-old the opportunity to engage with Mosimane, an experience which the youngster described as “fun”.

PMFC is the official youth football development club of the renowned South African coach and former professional footballer.

Asked how he felt about seeing himself on TV, Liam told the Brakpan Herald, “It was nice. I felt like a celebrity.” The Grade Six learner from Exel Edu Centre in Brakpan has always loved football but started showing more interest in the sport when he was nine years old.

His parents Benjamin and Clarissa explained they had been looking for a club for Liam to join last year when they were notified about trials at PMFC.

Liam aced the trials and was selected to join the club. He currently plays in the U13 squad, and his days are a busy mix of thrice weekly practice sessions at the club’s training grounds at Christian Brothers’ College Boksburg, school, and matches over weekends.

He appears to take this jam-packed schedule in his stride and shared that he simply juggles homework between training.

While fully supportive of his football aspirations, Benjamin and Clarissa are adamant that school comes first. It is also something they have to navigate as a whole family, as Liam’s brother Noah (7) plays for the club’s U9 side.

He has games and training on different days, so the family, including youngest brother Seth (2), are often emerged in some or other football activity seven days a week.

“We just do what we have to do. As parents, you have to provide them with as much opportunity as possible to help them find that passion,” said Benjamin.

They were both exceptionally proud of Liam’s TV appearance, with Clarissa adding it was an exciting experience. It is also the beginning of a promising journey for Liam.

This season, he has already scored two goals, contributing to his team’s impressive unbeaten run. They are currently sitting second on the log, a testament to their hard work and team spirit. Liam credits his coaches for this.

“They push us to be the best,” he said.

Benjamin added that the club has great coaching staff who not only focus on developing players’ skills but also prioritise the well being of each child.

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Liam’s favourite part of the game is having fun with his teammates, and he draws inspiration from his favourite team, Liverpool, and star player Darwin Núñez.

He hopes to one day follow in Núñez’s footsteps and play as a Red in the Premier League. Playing for Bafana Bafana is another goal.

Off the field, Liam can still be found with a football, either engaged in a match in the yard or street with neighbouring children, or simply practicing on his own.

He also enjoys drawing and building with Lego. Liam’s advice to other young players is to, “Follow your dreams.”

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