Wembezi Royal Tigers is a young and influential soccer team. Since the team was started six years ago, the players have secured a number of victories, cementing their place as a front-runner in the football fraternity.

We caught up with founding member and chairperson Kelliot Zuma to find out more about the team.

When was Wembezi Royal Tigers founded and by whom?
The team was founded in 2016 by Kelliot Zuma and Flora Zuma, along with other family members who are passionate about youth development in underprivileged communities.

READ: Another victory added for Wembezi Royal Tigers

Why was there a need to form a new team?
To take the youth from the streets to the soccer field in order to reduce alcohol abuse and other social ills that township and rural youth become susceptible to in the absence of positive interventions. The founders wanted to create a healthy alternative where players could nurture their talent, build confidence and become responsible members of society.

What is the average age of the players?
The ages range between 17 and 25.

Which areas do the players dwell in?
The players are from Estcourt and surrounding areas, including Thembalihle, Colenso, Ntambamhlophe, Emabhalonini, and Mooi River. There are eight players who reside in the clubhouse in Wembezi because they are from Durban, Hlathikhulu and Thembalihle.

What are the membership requirements to join the team?
Players need be registered with the Uthukela Regional Football League under the South African Football Association (SAFA).

Do the coaches also scout for players? If so, how is this done and what is the criteria?
Potential players are mainly scouted by the chairman, Mr Zuma, with the assistance of the coaches and other players. This is done by watching live matches and identifying talented players to recruit.

READ: Wembezi Royal Tigers score a homeground victory

What is the team’s training regime (prior to lockdown)?
The team trains three days a week for physical fitness, tactical plans and formations of play.

What is the team’s motto?
Putting Estcourt soccer on the map.

What are two highlights of the team’s career so far?
Wembezi Royal Tigers has had extraordinary success since its inception, enjoying great support from the people of Estcourt and all its surrounding areas. The fruits of the team’s hard work began to show in 2018 when the team had a successful season as one of the teams in the SAB League. Following the team’s success in the Uthukela Region SAB, the team qualified to represent the Uthukela Region in a bid to play in the ABC Motsepe League. Royal Tigers then qualified for and played in the provisional play-offs, which took place on June 15 and 16, 2018, in Vryheid.
The team was beaten in the last round. In 2019, Royal Tigers were the only team to be unbeaten in 15 games.
Their 100% success rate once again secured them a spot to represent the local football association at the regional play-offs for 2019. There too, the team was beaten in the last round.

And one ‘low-light’?
Losing players who have been groomed after lots of time and money is invested.

What ethics do the team live by?
All players are equal. Every member of the team and technical staff must be a representative of the team by acting with honesty, integrity and upholding the rules that have been set by FIFA.

What is your dream for this team?
The dream is to one day see this team representing Estcourt in the National Professional Soccer League and to see some of the players playing for our national team, Bafana Bafana.

How has the lockdown affected practice and games?
The team had to take a break and the players had to go back to their respective homes. The team lost that family element during the time we were apart. During this time, no games were played.

When does the team commence training?
Training started two weeks ago in preparation for the resumption of the soccer season, which was halted earlier this year due to national lockdown restrictions. The league may return on level one, but the team will continue to train.

How do the players feel about getting back onto the field?
The players are excited about meeting each other, though we are very cautious and observing social distancing protocol, which makes training difficult.

What games are you looking forward to?
The team is looking forward to completing our regional league.
Before the lockdown, we were number one in our stream and we are hoping to resume and maintain this momentum.
Our goal is to be victorious and go to the next level, which is the National First Division.

NOW READ: Wembezi Royal Tigers maul their opposition at the Uthukela Regional SAB playoffs

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