When 12 year-old Wandile Mndebele
started kicking a ball around in the dusty streets of Protea Glen he wanted
nothing more than to be like his older soccer-playing brother Musa. He followed
the customary route of youngsters in the area and joined the local club, Protea
Glen All stars, and it was that move that made all the difference in his life.
It led to him being spotted by
scouts from Bree Primary School while playing a club game against Mavi Stars in
Protea Glen. Ten months later he is getting ready to travel to Morocco
with his team to compete in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals.
The youngster recently played in
a game against the Mamelodi Sundowns under-13 development team and was
identified by the academy coach as a game maker and, if all goes according to
plan, he could be with the Sundowns Academy next year.
Joining Bree Primary has made an
enormous difference to young Wandile’s schoolwork as well as his soccer. “My
grades are improving, the teachers at the school pay attention to us and we understand
each other. I have also gained so much soccer experience because of the number
of tournaments we play in. I have played many more games since I came to Bree
this year, especially in the Danone Nations Cup and I have enjoyed the
interaction with the other kids.”
Wandile is convinced that soccer
is the only sport for him now. He is passionate about the game and knows
it will take him far.
“Before I came to Bree I had no
idea that they had played in the Danone Nations Cup world finals twice, once
winning the tournament,” Wandile said. “I knew that I was going to a very good
school that focuses on education and sport, but I never realised they had
achieved so much in soccer.”
Winning the national finals meant
they achieved what they set out to do at the beginning of the tournament. “We
told ourselves that we were going to be the team that brought Bree back into
this competition. We worked hard from the beginning and were committed from day
one.”
The school’s principal, Mr
Kalicharan, and the coach, Bafana, went to France with the 2008 team that won
the world title. They encouraged the team to work hard if they also want
to travel overseas to play in the world finals of the tournament.
“Ever since we won the national
finals it has been an adventure, I have seen pictures and stories written about
us in the newspapers, we have watched a live game between Sundowns and Bidvest
Wits, and we have had fun.”
“My brother and mother have been
very supportive. My brother was the first person I told when we won the
nationals. He is now 26 years old and is the father figure in my life
since we lost out dad a few years ago and still helps me with my game.”
Going to Morocco will be the highlight
of Wandile’s life so far. “I want to meet players from other countries
especially Germany and Argentina; Germany because they won the FIFA World Cup
in 2014, and Argentina because of Lionel Messi. He is an incredible player and
I one day hope to play just like him,” Wandile said.
“We are under pressure because
the last time Bree competed in the World Finals they won so a lot of people
will be expecting a win from us and we have to work 10 times hard to make sure
that we don’t disappoint them.
About Danone
Danone
Southern Africa is part of the Danone Group, one of the fastest-growing food
companies in the world. Danone is present in over 120 countries across
all continents. With 160 plants and around 100,000 employees, the Danone Group
is the number one worldwide for Fresh Dairy Products. Danone’s mission is to
bring health through food to as many people as possible.
One of the core values of the Danone Nations Cup
tournament is to encourage young people to believe in their dreams. Through
this initiative Danone offers a sporting event that reaches out to and inspires
millions of children all over the world
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