This is the way stars are born

With the 2014 Soccer World Cup currently drawing to a climax and uppermost in many people’s minds, “Soccer Fever” came to Ermelo last Thursday and Friday with trials and a coaching clinic held at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium.
This was made possible by Ermelo Toyota and Mpumalanga Black Aces, who over the past few months have cemented a solid footballing partnership with the emphasis on the development of young footballers.
On Thursday, scores of youngsters, eager to be chosen as possible candidates for the Aces squad, were invited to show off their football skills under the watchful and knowledgeable eyes of Aces’ coaching staff.
“The trials provide footballers from the local communities with an opportunity to be seen by professionals who recognise talent when they see it. For those players who are skilful enough to be selected for further trials at a higher level, a real opportunity exists to rise to the top,” said Aces’ Office and Communications manager, Gordon Msondo.
Nine players from Ermelo were eventually selected to join another 17 who were selected from other regions, making a total of 26 players who will try out for final selection at the Aces trials to be held in Johannesburg. All travelling expenses, accommodation and kit will be sponsored by Mpumalanga Black Aces Football Club.
The nine players from Ermelo are Tiisetso Lebelo (20), Bafana Dlamini (21), Nkosinathi Nkosi (19), Bongani Motau (20), Romeo Magagula (20), Mfanafuthi Ntozelizwe (21), Brandon Fernades (18), Sithembiso Tshabalala (20) and Jabulani Bhembe (21).
The trials were attended by various dignitaries, including Msukaligwa Executive Mayor Cllr Sipho Bongwe who congratulated the nine players who were chosen. He expressed his delight at the opportunity created by Ermelo Toyota and Aces for local footballers to follow their dreams.
Mayor Bongwe has undertaken to personally provide the nine players with a send-off when they go to Johannesburg and will also visit the Aces trials together with members of Ermelo Toyota management.
“Who knows? In the very near future Ermelo may boast having a local footballer in the Aces team and that player may even go as far as a spot in the national squad. If you can dream it you can achieve it!” he said.

For the kids from Kwa-Zanele Secondary (Breyten), Qanbekile Secondary, Wesselton Primary, New Ermelo Primary and Lindile Secondary this was an experience they will never forget and for many, the clinic may well be the starting point of a future professional football career.
The kids were put through their paces and were shown the finer points of ball control in passing, dribbling, tackling, heading the ball and goal-shooting.
The coaching clinic reached a climax on Friday afternoon with the Ermelo Toyota shoot-out providing some nail-biting action.
Players from the various school teams competed against each other to see who could score the most goals from the penalty spot.
Wesselton Primary was the eventual winner, scoring an impressive 19 goals from the spot for which they received the Ermelo Toyota/Mpumalanga Black Aces floating trophy. Each player from the winning team also received a commemorative medal.
The coach of the winning school, Mr Khaladi Mahlangu, said the win was of special significance as the children all came from families residing in the nearby squatter camps.
The five players in each school team who stood out and displayed special skills were rewarded with Aces “Makarapa” headgear.
All the players who attended the coaching clinic received a clothing hamper consisting of a Toyota branded cap and T-shirt, a nourishing meal and a personalised certificate of participation.
At the post-event ceremony attended by coaches, councillors and school headmasters Cllr Bongwe extended his thanks to Aces management and to Mr Koos Badenhorst, Dealer Principal of Ermelo Toyota, and his team for their commitment in providing the youth with the opportunity to achieve great heights in the world of soccer.
In reply, Mr Badenhorst reconfirmed Ermelo Toyota’s involvement with Mpumalanga Black Aces and expressed his hopes that Ermelo Toyota would one day look back with pride at having played a significant role in producing a soccer star that could ultimately represent South Africa at an international level.
He thanked all the co-sponsors and role players for their contribution in making the trials and clinic a huge success.