Tembisa soccer player dreams about playing for the big teams
In his leisure time he plays for Umlilo FC, a Tembisa soccer outfit involved in local annual soccer tournaments
Despite fewer opportunities available in the townships, Katlego Latagomo believes his resilience and patience will pay off and will prove, given an opportunity, that he belongs on the big-time football stage.
The 24-year-old lad loves soccer. His passion for the sport took root when he was just five years old.
He said: “I took after my father who was passionate about soccer and played it in his youth. My father was fully committed to football. As a young man, he played for various teams in Gamashashane, Limpopo. I used to watch him play, and he inspired me to follow in his footsteps.”
With a twinkle in his eye, he says he is eternally grateful to his father for his nurturing love.
He started off playing soccer for his school, Khatlamping Primary.
“I started playing school soccer until Grade Seven, at which point I joined the Orlando Pirates Academy, playing there until I was in Grade 10. After Grade 10 I joined Ama-BEE, a team that features in the ABC Motsepe League. I played for the team for about four years.”
He then moved on, relocating to Mpumalanga, where he joined Phiva Young Stars.
“The team was in the ABC Motsepe league,” says Katlego.
His stay at Stars was short-lived. After one season, he left to join Barberton City Stars, another ABC Motsepe League affiliate.
His stay at Barberton City Stars lasted for two seasons.
“My determination to succeed in football stems from the fact I was born into a sport-loving family. I have my own challenges. For a long period of time, I do not see my family. But these are sacrifices we have to make as football players. My family is supportive of me, and allows me to make my own decisions,” he says.
His ultimate goal is to play for one of the top teams in the country, and hopefully to represent his country as a player in the national team.
His advice to young players is simple: “They need to be dedicated and to move away from their comfort zone if they are to achieve success and greatness.”
“One day I hope to make my family proud,” he added. “I am proud of my family as they are a supportive family.”
In his leisure time he plays for Umlilo FC, a Tembisa soccer outfit involved in local annual soccer tournaments.
