Tedstonville soccer team off to a good start in league
"To usher in to the year we held soccer trials to recruit new players and it was a success."
Zizi Football Club, former AC Milan FC, got the SAFA Ekurhuleni Regional League off to a great start.
The Tedstonville-based team recently participated in three U17 league games, winning two and drawing the other.
They won their last game 2-0 against Martial Eagles Academy.
The club’s chairperson, Prince Ralushe, expressed optimism that they will conclude the league campaign strongly.
Ralushe informed this newspaper that the French football team that owns the name AC Milan is not affiliated with them, which led to difficulties while they were looking for sponsors.
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“With our new name, we are all excited to start this season. The name is a representation of our clan names, which makes us feel more at home.
“To usher into the year we held soccer trials to recruit new players and it was a success, with 70% of our squads compromising of our new players.
“We lost the majority of our players to other teams during the rebranding phase. We are starting from zero when creating a new team, trying out several lineups, and finally assembling a strong team,” said Ralushe.
Two of the club’s three divisions are registered to compete in the regional competition, according to Ralushe.
“We play using our U17 and U19 teams. The seniors exclusively participate in friendlies and tournaments. Our long-term goal is to deploy those senior players in a squad and purchase status in the SAB or ABC Motsepe Leagues.
“With three games under their belt, our U17 team has already started the league. We are waiting for the formal start of their league before our U19 team competes.
“Two former Rebels FC players are among our top additions this season; we scouted them during Philly’s Games, Thembisa’s premier off-season competition, and we brought them in to bolster the squad.
“One of our goalies used to play for TS Galaxy. He now participates in senior and U19 teams.”
Ralushe added that the team’s largest problem is that they don’t have any sponsors, and their transportation expenses are a major burden.
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“Transportation assistance is required for us to travel between away and home games. The Germiston City Sports Ground serves as both our training facility and home ground. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are training days and weekends are for playing matches.
“Our objective is to have players from outside the province,” said Ralushe.
To help the team contact Ralushe on 078 533 6474 or Tumelo Masangwanyi (club manager) on 081 747 7133.
