Meadowlands Academy Football Club building on their first decade of success
Founded by Lawrence Mashigo and former Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic player, Dira Laka, Meadowlands Academy Football Club has built a solid foundation since its inception in 2010.
The fluctuating football fraternity has seen many clubs burst into life only to fade into obscurity. Many grand old names are resigned to the history books but there will always be the dreamers who believe they can eclipse them.
Founded by Lawrence Mashigo and former Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic player, Dira Laka, Meadowlands Academy Football Club has built a solid foundation since its inception in 2010. Now boasting six age groups from Under 9 to Under 17 and the senior team, the club has been growing a reputation for playing quality football.
Laka’s boys took part in a Soweto Academy League day hosted by Panorama Football Club, Sunday 15 November. Along with the hosts, University of Johannesburg’s development teams and Augusto Palacios Academy, the four played a set of round-robin fixtures to shake of the cobwebs of 2020. Four age groups, Unders 9, 13, 15 and 17 all got a run-out for their respective clubs.
On what was considered a competitive and well-organised event by Dira, his club picked up a mixed bag of results with the pick being a 3–1 win for their Under 17s against Panorama. The hosts would also have an inconsistent day, with their standout result being a 2–0 win for their Under 15s against Augusto Palacios Academy. It is, however, all preparation for next year, as Dira said, “We’re planning to play festive games around the township until the end of the year, and the main goal for 2021 is to compete for promotion into the ABC Motsepe league”.
