The world’s top sportsmen and -women have two things in common – drive and sacrifice. A young Lowvelder has started a journey that will take extreme sacrifice and require total dedication.

Riaan De Araújo (15) left for Portugal last Wednesday, where he will spend the next three years at the world-renowned BSports Academy in Portel.

He left his family and friends behind.

He was initially scheduled to fly to Portugal on Saturday December 4, but due to the situation concerning international flights to and from South Africa resulting from the announcement of the Omicron strain of Covid-19, he did not.

The Mozambican lad’s family live in Mbombela. They also have a home in Maputo.

He will return to his family twice a year for a short visit during the next three years.

He attended Curro Nelspruit and was a member of Sporting Clube de Portugal Mbombela Academy.

It was at the academy that he honed his skills that eventually earned him this life-changing opportunity.

Riaan is a striker.

“I have played football since I was six and joined Sporting Clube de Portugal Mbombela when I was 10.

“I will be in Portugal for three years, where I aim to add value to my journey. I am very grateful for this opportunity and excited about what I will learn. I want to develop as a player. I want to be among the best at BSports. There I will have all the tools in human resources, knowledge, expertise, facilities and equipment,” he said.

The teen will continue his schooling at the academy.

According to Riaan’s mother, Charzade, she and her husband, Marcus, shared his soccer videos with Mozambican friends. Somehow these videos were seen by BSports.

A scout from BSports met with them at their home in Maputo and Riaan was invited to attend the academy to develop his soccer skills.

“We realised he was exceptionally talented from a young age. He’d always play and walk around with his soccer ball when he was younger. We put him in an academy at the age of six. From then on, he wouldn’t stop playing and enhanced his skills. He would play for more than six hours a day. My husband was goalkeeper and represented Mozambique. I believe his passion came from that. When Riaan was 10 he went to Portugal to represent Sporting Clube de Portugal Johannesburg in the Iber Cup and went again when he was 12,” said Charzade.

How do Mum and Dad feel about their teenage son taking on this new challenge?

“At first I was filled with excitement, and I still am. It is a great opportunity for him and I couldn’t be any prouder. However, as time got closer, I could not hold back my tears, because I can’t imagine staying apart from him for so long. As a mother, I am extremely proud and excited, but I won’t lie, it’s hard to let my son go to another country alone. Our wishes are that he will be successful in doing what he is so passionate about. I believe he will go far, because something that is done with love and dedication can only create endless opportunities,” said Charzade.

Wandile Fortune Duma, a coach at Sporting Clube de Portugal Mbombela Academy, said, “Riaan is a dedicated and determined upcoming soccer player. More than a player, he is a learner as he explores new adventures on and off the soccer pitch. I’ve been watching and analysing his progress since 2018, when I coached him as an u/13 player. He has leadership skills and motivates his teammates. I’m proud of him and wish him the best with his soccer journey.”

Riaan is determined to make his parents and Sporting Clube de Portugal Mbombela proud.

“I am prepared and ready to work hard. I want to achieve all my present and future objectives. I am also very motivated to meet my future colleagues at BSports and learn the methodology of Portuguese football,” he said.

Remember the name Riaan De Araújo. With the drive he has and the sacrifice he is willing to make, he is sure to achieve his goals.