Northwood School learner relishes role with Dolphins
The 18-year-old was among a lucky few youngsters in the Dolphins squad, including High Performance stars, who were handed their debut by the new coach, Quinton Friend.
IT has been a massive year for Northwood School learner Nqobani Mokoena who not only represented the SA U19 team at the U19 World Cup but who also made his debut for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in the first game of the CSA T20 Challenge.
Nqobani, who is an all-rounder, played three games for the national side at the U19 World Cup in Bloemfontein and has, so far, played his first game for the Dolphins against the Dafabet Warriors in Gqeberha.
The 18-year-old was among a lucky few youngsters in the Dolphins squad, including High Performance stars, who were handed their debut by the new coach, Quinton Friend.
Also read: Dolphins welcome new head coach
At Northwood, Nqobani is lucky to be under the tutelage of former Proteas paceman Mornantau Hayward.
“I started playing cricket at the age of 10, and it was really because I would go down to the grounds in KwaMashu to watch my friends practise and train. I really wanted to try the sport out, and I just fell in love with it over time. In that year of me trying out, I realised I could go far in the sport if I put in the work,” he said.
Speaking on his two major achievements this year, the talented cricketer said he was proud.
“Wearing the Proteas outfit and getting my SA blazer is something I’ll never forget. To hear people cheering for me was just an incredible feeling, and I feel this was my first step in life as a cricketer. I hope for many more experiences like this to come. My first Dolphins game was also massive because I had the support of my teammates and coaching staff. I remember bowling my first ball; I was so nervous. As the game went on, though, I felt more settled, and everything fell into place,” he said.
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Although he went wicketless in that game, Nqobani is looking forward to playing his first game in front of his home crowd at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead.
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