Reaching for the stars

The road to success passes over many obstacles, and there is no bypass along the way. Trials and tribulations are there to test your faith and abilities, and for Siphesihle Zwane it was no different. He was born in Sithembile, Glencoe, and all he ever dreamed of was becoming a soccer star. This dream is slowly becoming a reality.
As a young boy he was well-known for his talents in dribbling and scoring goals with his team, Bolten Wanderers, which is now called Sithembile FC. His amazing skills on the field caught his teacher’s attention, Nathi Khanyile, who then put him in the school’s second team. He proved to be more than just second best as he played so well that he was promoted to play for the school’s first team. He was the youngest of them all. 
Siphesihle plays in the attacking mid-fielder’s position, and has since found a sporting home with the Thandazulu Royals, starting in 2013. With a number of offers in store he might be leaving his current team: “My agent is in negotiations with a number of teams that want me, and I am currently weighing my options,” says Siphesihle. His future looks promising as he hopes that in few years’ time he will be playing in the Premier Soccer League, which is every soccer player’s dream. 
His journey has not been a walk in the park: he has made lots of sacrifices that have paved the way for him to be where he is today. He is one of a few talented local boys who have made it to the ‘greener pastures’ in this career. 
Setbacks
In grade 6 Siphesihle changed schools and started at Biggarsberg Primary. Unfortunately, soccer was not the main sport offered at the school. He encountered the same problems in high school at Sarel Cilliers. He said he believes that this was a major setback in his career: ” If I had had the opportunity to play soccer at school, as I did at Amakhemfundo, I would have been further with my career.” 
Despite this, Siphesihle never once gave up on his passion for soccer. “I continued playing for the local team, Bolten Wanderers – this was during high school, and this was the only way to keep pushing my talent. I ended up playing for the Dundee Experience FC,” he explained. 
In 2006 he was selected to represent Northern KwaZulu-Natal in the KwaNaloga Games, playing against invitational teams from as far away as Botswana. During those play-offs there were scouts from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) present, who were impressed by his talent and offered him a position to play for one of the bigger teams. Due to not being finished with school he turned down the offer. Siphesihle was in Grade 11 at the time. 
Explaining why he refused such an offer, he said: “Soccer is a short-term career; a small injury can ruin your life, so you must have something to fall back on, and at that time I wanted to finish my Matric,” said Sphesihle. 
Seeing the light
After he completed Matric he went on to study Mechanical Engineering at the Bureau College in Durban. Unfortunately he did not complete his studies as a result of the passing of his mother. He had no choice but to drop his N5 studies and pursue his career in soccer, as no one could pay for his tuition. “Soccer pays well, and you can live a better life and be able to provide for yourself.” 
At this time he was playing for African Wanderers in the Vodacom League. He said this was when things started happening for him. “It is true that when one door closes another door opens. I was called by Sivutsa Stars, playing in the First National Division. It was during this time that the best moments in my career were highlighted.” 
During his first game with Sivutsa Stars, playing against Atlie, he scored two goals. It was also his best moment as his family and other people in his home-town could see him playing live on their television screens. “My grandmother watched that game and she was so proud of me,” says Siphesihle.
He indicated that throughout his career he learned that in order for one to succeed in what they do, perseverance and hard work are essential to achieve what you want. He said he always formed a five-year plan for what he wanted to achieve, and worked hard in chasing those achievements. With all the sacrifices he has made in pursuit of his career, he also said that some of the choices he made he is not proud of. But he wants to set an example for up-coming young stars and be their inspiration. In between all this he would still like to finish his Mechanical Engineering studies. 
Siphesihle says that he hopes that in Umzinyathi sport can be given the attention and support it deserves, as there are many young boys and girls who are talented but lack resources. “I am still working my way up with soccer, and hope that in a few years’ time I will reach the stars,” concluded Siphesihle.