Corinthians Africa’s blind football team off to Russia

A Ward 57 resident, Mlungisi ‘Jack’ Msibi (31), the CEO of Corinthians Africa, founder and head coach, is heading to Russia from December 16 to 21 with his Corinthians Africa’s blind football team.

The founder and executive chairperson of the South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA), Raymond Matlala, invited them on November 12 and they will be participating at the International Blind Football Exhibition Tournament Among BRICS+ Nations.

The event will unite teams from BRICS+ countries, celebrating talent, fostering inclusion, and strengthening global connections through the spirit of sport.

Where it started

Mlungisi always had the community first in his heart. As early as 2012, together with five players, witnessed the start of The Corinthians in South Hills’ parks, when he was only 19 yearsl old.

Men from taverns supported them by occasionally giving them money and in-kind donations to move on.

“We wanted every child to play, to be occupied with something and not idling around. We could not afford to use schools and that’s why we made sure that everywhere you go in the area, you will find a child playing soccer. We occupied every park as a form of protest for not having enough playing grounds for the youth.

“Our actions came with consequences as we were deemed people vandalising the parks. However, we were taking youth out of the streets. Now we have different leagues running at The Corinthians, including the African tournament on Sundays which pulls lots of people,” he said.

Among other leagues they have is blind soccer, which attracts people even from overseas.

“I never imagined doing this on this scale. In 2019, we inherited these premises from the City of Johannesburg and have been doing magic here.

Beacon of hope

“There was a momentary stop in my engagement with The Corinthians when I lost my mother. I thought I was done with the community and even got a job in corporate. Three months down the line, a knock on my door changed everything. It was ward 57 Clr Faeeza Chame in the City of Johannesburg,” noted Mlungisi.

With no sponsors and donors, they started fixing the premises. They told themselves that would get them on the way.

“I was just a soccer coach, and we got caretaker coaches and more staff and now I am managing them,” he said.

He said his heart was sore when he realised so many blind people with talent don’t get recognition.

“Two blind boys who desperately wanted to play soccer approached me. They would come every weekend, asking to play. I finally gave it a thought as it is big overseas. I then approached the Johannesburg Society for the Blind (JSB). They are our strong partners. In February 2021, we started to form a team. Surprisingly, the two boys are now nowhere to be found. I guess their purpose was to ignite the fire in me to do this,” recalled Mlungisi.

The road continues to form a formidable team

Mlungisi now has a team of 22 personnel, which he said are like a family to him.

“Others are in Pretoria. We work with people from various areas and their lives are part of ours. Here about 1 500 people attend per week. We also host tournaments of different sporting codes, including soccer, blind soccer, netball, cricket and a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) centre.

We have branches in Lilongwe, Malawi and also engage people in Peru.

“In September we hosted the Ubabalo Community Cup, where we wanted to symbolise the integration of the core aspects of whole life coaching into the community psyche.

“We also act as father figures for many boys here. We develop them holistically. We teach them life skills, and visit them in their homes,” he said.

He conceded that the American group, Dare to Dream, sponsored them with soccer balls for the blind and training goods.

“In the three years since we started, we work with three schools; Philadephia (Pretoria), JSB (Joburg South) and Sibonile in Vosloorus. There is a fourth one coming on board soon.

“I have given coach Khuthadzo Nemahunguni and TJ Chitekwa reigns to continue. I am still doing oversight, and the technical aspects. We want to be all over South Africa. The Corinthians has 13 strong blind players and the majority are from JSB,” he said.

The trip to Russia

With all his work and the team, Mlungisi said he didn’t know where Matlala got his contact, however, he believed the work they do spoke for themselves.

“He asked me to assemble the team that will play in Russia. We are busy gathering passports, as most of the players did have them.

“We compete with countries that already have leagues in blind soccer and we don’t have one. I have players from all over South Africa and will merge them with the six from JSB.

“What touches my heart is everyone wants to play in Russia. However, I can only take 12 people, including up to 10 players (with up to eight blind footballers and up to two sighted players), as well as a coach and a manager. I am also glad that they will cover all costs related to flights to Russia, accommodation, and meals for the duration of the tournament,” he said.

They are planning exhibition games on December 7 at their farewell. “What excites me is visually impaired children now believe there is hope and recognition for them. My role here is to facilitate and I am determined to have a visually impaired person as the next coach.

“We want to establish leagues. Going to Russia will help me get experience; it will not only be about winning or losing, it will be about exposure.

“Our next goal is to participate in the African Blind Championship in Ghana in 2026,” he said.

Mlungisi wants to create opportunities for blind people in the country. He said inclusive policies must be drafted.

“I will always try my best to create a platform for the blind people,” he noted.