VIDEO: Blind coach excels as he moves team up the ladder
JOBURG - A blind coach of Silver Spears women's team has made history by becoming the first blind coach to qualify for the Sasol SAFA Women’s Football League.
The coach of Silver Spears women’s team has made history by becoming the first blind coach to qualify for the Sasol Safa Women’s Football League.
Incredible! Silver Spears Ladies coached by a blind man Dumisani Ntombela have won the SASOL regional playoffs. pic.twitter.com/g0nz7mjO6F
— Tracksuit (@ThabisoMosia) November 15, 2015
Spears finished second in the Sasol Regional Women’s League playoffs held at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on 15 November with six points after winning two games and losing one.
Dumisani Ntombela, founder and owner of Spears, first rose to stardom when he thumped his sighted counterpart to win the 2015 Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games championship for women’s football.
WATCH: Blind coach Dumisani Ntombela addressing the crowd after winning the Map Games:
The two-day playoffs, which were held at UJ, saw four Safa Gauteng regional champions battle it out for the top two spots. The four teams were from Tshwane, West Rand, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg.
Ntombela was delighted with his team’s performance throughout the playoffs, despite having two of his players suspended, and having to do without some of his key players due to injuries.
“It is a dream come true for me, I am so happy, this is the first time my team is in the playoffs since it was formed in 2011, and for us to qualify on our first attempt is amazing,” said an elated Ntombela.
However, Ntombela admitted that it is not going to be an easy adventure for his team as financial constraints and lack of sponsorship may dampen their dreams.
“Playing in the Sasol Women’s League will not be easy for us – more especially without any [financial] support. I used my father’s money to finance the team and now my father is no longer working. Sometimes we have no food in the house because I used the money to cater for the team,” he said.
Ntombela also thanked Thabiso Mosia of Power FM and the listeners of Power Sport for donating food and refreshments to his team throughout the playoff weekend.
Day 2 of the Women's SASOL Provincial qualifiers. Off to deliver more refreshments to our coach @Power987Sport pic.twitter.com/b5iMfmHIa9
— Tracksuit (@ThabisoMosia) November 15, 2015
