Bongani captains Ke Yona Team
"I've never doubted my ability and have always been a leader. I captained all the soccer teams I've played for."
Bongani Treasure Mbuli (20) is getting closer and closer to achieving his childhood dream of playing in the elite Premier Soccer League (PSL), if his current performance is anything to go by.
Born and raised Ermelo, he began kicking the football at a tender age and was never interested in anything else. His grandmother, Ms Julia Deliwe Kuhlase (60), remembers how she used to replace windows that Bongani broke and she finally sent him to play at the nearby soccerfield.
Little did she know that was the beginning of bigger things.
“My grandson was always passionate about soccer and I’m not surprised he has made it this far. I really pray that I live long enough to see him playing professionally,” said gogo Mbuli.
She also showed the Highvelder some of the trophies Bongani won at primary school.
His aunt, Ms Nombuso Kuhlase, is also proud of him and wishes for other parents to support their children in their
sporting activities.
Bongani recently participated in the Nedbank KeYona Team search trials conducted in six provinces and which saw more than 30 000 players taking their chance to make it into the elite league.
He recalls how excited he was to receive the phone call, inviting him to the trials in Johannesburg.
“On trial day, I was player number 201 out of 860. We played the whole day and had to wait for the scouts to complete the trials in all the provinces and announce the best 48 players.”
After his anxious wait of a couple of weeks, the call came through, informing him that he made the cut of 48 players.
Bongani said he was numb after the call, because he couldn’t believe it.
He also explained how tough the competition is, especially in the centre back position he plays.
“From the 48 players chosen from all the provinces, the team was trimmed down to 30 players, then to 25 and after that to18 and I’m still in!” said Bongani with a smile.
During the trials, he has already played against a Premier side, Wits University.
His moment of glory came when he was nominated captain of the team.
“From that moment I knew my time has come, because as we progressed, I realised my ability was taking me places. After accepting the captaincy, I called grandmother and told her the good news,” said Bongani.
He confided how he had told his fellow team mates in his home team before the trials that he would make the cut and be the captain.
“I’ve never doubted my ability and have always been a leader. I captained all the soccer teams I’ve played for,” said Bongani.
The final leg is on 4 September at the Daveyton Stadium where two of the 18 players will be sent home and the remaining 16 will be selected the various PSL teams and get an opportunity for a month-long trial.
Bongani wishes to play for Supersport United, as it’s one team that supports development.
He also gives credit to his current coach at Lumoja FC, Ditshego Marago, his guidance and support and to all his fellow team players.
Bongani pleads with parents to support their children in their sport, because not every child is gifted academically. He also wishes for the municipality to invest more in sport to fight crime.
