Young soccer player gets a chance of a lifetime
The 16-year-old had the opportunity to attend a global training camp.
A budding local soccer player, Lankie Khoza (16) jetted off to France on June 28 where he had a chance to share the field with former Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez as part of the Copa Coca-Cola Global camp.
Khoza, who plays for Barcelona 2022 Football Academy locally, is among seven youngsters from South Africa, who travelled to the home of the ongoing Uefa Euro 2016 tournament to test their skills against the rest of the world.
Khoza was selected when he caught the eyes of selectors at the Under-15 Copa Coca-Cola National Finals in 2015 held at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal.
He played for his school St Mark’s, which represented Mpumalanga.
The camp in Paris was expected to start on Wednesday June 28 and end on July 4.
During the players’ stay, they will be trained by coaches from Paris Saint-Germany Academy. The camp also focuses on life-skill development and promotion of friendship. The young players are also expected to watch one of the Uefa Euro 2016 quarter-finals in France, while they are there.
In a telephone interview with Barberton Times on Monday evening, an excited Khoza said he was looking forward to fly for the first time in his life.
“This is a dream come true for me. It will be the first time I board a plane and my first time away from South Africa.
I’m looking forward to use the opportunity afforded to me and gain more experience,” said Khoza.
His coach at Barcelona 2022 Academy, Lungile “Mambush” Mokone, said they were proud of Khoza’s achievement and hope that his successes will rub off on his fellow teammates.
“Lankie is one of the most talented youngsters we have at Barcelona 2022 Academy. He was marvelous when we won the Umjindi Development Mayoral Cup and also did wonders in Nkomazi when we clinched the Ehlanzeni District Municipalities mayoral cup. He deserves to be where he is and I hope that his success will serve as a motivation to his teammates,” said Mambush.
“The teens attending will have the opportunity to gain skills, enjoy new experiences with new international friends and even meet and learn from a FIFA World Cup champion, Xavi Hernandez,” said Coca-Cola South Africa’s senior communications manager, Fetsi Mbele.
The other players who are with Khoza
in Paris are Siyabonga Mkhwanazi (Bophelong Impilo Community School), Leathan Croats (Mandale High School), Mandla Mokoena (Zacheus Maleka High School), Likhanye Ndlende (Clapham High School), Zaba Nxumalo (Clapham High School), Kagiso Khulu (Sol Plaatjies High School) and Rebaone Sebaco (Kimberly Technical High school). On Monday evening attempts to get hold of Khoza for comment before his departure were fruitless.
