Excellent Mashale (22) has had a passion for soccer since he was a young boy. “It started as fun playing football in my village and at the primary school level. We were coached by a teacher, Moya Ragolane, a passionate soccer enthusiast. I trained with him every day.” He says in high school, he continued playing. “I also played with the older players from my village since I was 13 years old.”

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Their acceptance motivated him to actively strive to have a career in soccer. “I wanted to show people that it is possible for someone from a rural area to make it in the world. People used to tell me that I am wasting my time with soccer,” he added. He decided to channel their discouragement into training more. “I wanted to prove that I am playing soccer because I love it, and that soccer will take me where I want to be.

“I don’t see myself doing anything else. It might change when I get older, but as of now, I see myself as a soccer player.” He has been a member of Team Daniel, his village team since he has been 17 years old. He also played for the Giyani Happy Boys, after which he moved to Masungi, then Mbhendle, and is currently playing for Loloka. He hopes to one day play for the big South African teams or play overseas.