For Honeydew’s Lihle Shiburi, football is more than a sport; it is a passion that shapes his ambitions and strengthens his determination to succeed.

A cool, calm and collected young man, he began his football journey at age 10. Athletics came before soccer, but an unexpected childhood inspiration changed his path.

“I saw a friend of mine winning multiple awards at primary school, and I thought I’d like to be in those same awards. That’s how I got into it, and eventually I fell in love with football even more.”

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Family support and sacrifices

Since then, the game has become an important part of his life, although pursuing his dream has required sacrifices, particularly missing out on family time because of weekly matches. Fortunately, his family has remained firmly behind him, with his father playing the biggest role by taking him to matches, watching him play and encouraging his development.

One of his toughest challenges came when his first major injury kept him away from football for almost 10 months. Adjusting to life without the game was difficult, but his passion kept him going.

“Football is in my blood, and I love playing soccer with a passion,” he said.

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Premier League ambitions

Shiburi views setbacks as learning opportunities, believing every challenge offers a chance to improve. His ambitions remain high, playing for Manchester City in the English Premier League among his biggest dreams.

He hopes to be remembered as someone who played with passion and love, and encourages aspiring footballers to never give up on what they love.

His journey is far from over, and his dream remains firmly alive. He currently leads the attack for Crusaders as they fight for the Rand Central senior league title.

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