Coach Chris Singela is making a meaningful impact in the lives of young aspiring footballers through his academy, Chris Stars Football Academy.

“I started my coaching journey in 2018, where I began by obtaining my Confederation of African Football (CAF) D licence, and in the same year, I pursued my CAF C licence,” Singela said.

The CAF C licence acts as a bridge between grassroots coaching (D licence) and professional coaching (B licence). What started as just a local team has not turned into a full-fledged football academy.

“I spoke with my wife at the beginning of last year, and together we decided to establish the academy. We are a registered NPO with four age divisions,” the coach elaborated.

Founded with a vision to develop raw talent and create opportunities for young players, the academy has become a growing force in local football development. Singela’s mission goes beyond simply coaching the game; it is about shaping disciplined, confident, and focused individuals both on and off the pitch.

“The main focus for our teams is to play and win in our local leagues, then advance and play in the Gauteng Development League,” he said.

Training takes place at Laerskool Westgold Primary School between Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 16:00 after school and provides structured training sessions aimed at improving technical skills, tactical awareness and overall fitness. Through regular training and organised trials, the academy continues to identify and nurture promising talent from across Randfontein.

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Building pathways and positive futures

The academy has also created a pathway for players to compete at higher levels, with its senior team participating in regional competitions, exposing players to more competitive football environments and growth opportunities.

The academy has become a safe and positive space for many young people in the community, offering them an alternative to negative influences while giving them a platform to pursue their passion for football.

“I want to take young people away from the streets and the negative influences that are present in many townships, and rather have them doing something positive like playing football. Hopefully, we will be able to get these players in the ABC Motsepe League, Premier Football League, or even overseas.”

As the academy continues to grow, Singela remains focused on one goal: To develop the next generation of football stars from Randfontein and provide them with the tools to succeed both in sport and in life.

Through dedication, passion and community-driven effort, Chris Stars Football Academy is steadily building a legacy, one young player at a time.