Soccer stars off to Denmark
A porter from Valley Lodge & Spa in Magaliesburg will be representing his soccer club in Denmark.
It seems the soccer spell has been cast over Valley Lodge & Spa in Magaliesburg.
The lodge, which hosted the Portugal team during the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup and is helping a local school by donating soccer balls with every paid-for massage at their spa, will be sending an employee soon to partake in a soccer tournament in Denmark.
One of the lodge’s porters, Samuel Dinga, 19, is getting ready to pack his own bags for the Dana Cup 2014 to be held in Denmark. It is the world’s third largest international youth soccer tournament .
Dinga and 25 other players from the Super Strikers Football Club in Randfontein will be taking part in this tournament from 21 to 26 July.
“I really am thrilled as this is the first time that I will be on a plane. It is a great opportunity to make my club proud,” he says excitedly.
“Our team’s aim is to win this tournament, but just to be able to gain experience on another level is already a bonus.”
Dinga, who started his employment at the lodge in February has been playing soccer at the club since he was five years old and is now the captain of the team.
“The club played a big role in my life when growing up. It was through the dedication and love shown by the founder and coach that I managed to reach certain goals in my life.”
His goals, he explains, are to get his matric, pursue his studies and find a decent job.
Nomabhele Bonga, or Mamawethu (mother) as known by her soccer players, started the soccer club in 1999 as a way to keep children off the streets.
“I am actually a netball player but the boys always came to my house,” she says about the days before the club was founded.
“The children would steal goods from a local shop and the owner would lock them up as punishment inside his fridge. It was when I realised they were doing wrong things because there is nothing to keep them busy.”
Today many of these children are part of the working class instead of becoming criminals.
About the tournament she says everyone in the club is excited as it is her and many other players’ first time across South Africa’s borders.
“I am sure they will win because we have worked really hard. It is tough to build a team, but through dedication and commitment from the players we will show the world what we can offer.”
She says the notion that soccer teams should have a male coach has let many male coaches red in the face when her team beats them hands down.
“I am a woman, but don’t think I am easy to beat,” she laughs.
The team is still needs a few things before jetting off to Denmark. Any businesses that are able to assist with soccer branded kits, tekkies, branded tracksuits, golf shirts, sports bags and/ or soccer boots can contact Bonga on 073 736 5324.
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