The players in the Daniye Primary School under-12 football
team are about to embark on the biggest adventure of their lives so far, one
that will culminate in them running out onto the hallowed turf of London’s
Wembley Stadium in September. The Bushbuckridge school won the national final
of the Danone Nations Cup and earned the right to represent the country at the
world finals in London as a result.
Midfielders, Smangaliso Khoza and Njomo Mabunda, believe
this trip is a dream come true. Smangaliso Khoza comes from a poor
background and is one of six children, raised by their grandmother while their
parents are away doing piece work to survive. His grandmother is his biggest
supporter. “She gives me money to go watch matches when my parents can’t, and
she is always there for me and encourages me to be better at what I do,” he said.
One reason Smangaliso is excited about going to London is
to play on the field his favourite club, Manchester United, has triumphed many
a time. “I admire the Manchester United players who are disciplined and I know
that they earn a lot of money. I will always have football in my heart,
but my dream is actually to be a mechanical engineer and to one day be in a
position to buy a house in Durban for my family.” Smangaliso also have a
favourite local player and club: Simphiwe Tshabalala from Player his
favourite player.
In contrast Njomo Mabunda comes from a more affluent
family. His father is a teacher at the school, and the team’s manager and his
mother is a mathematics teacher at a neighbouring school.
Mabunda has a love for computers and when he is not playing
soccer he is generally at the keyboard. “I love numbers,” he says, “and I enjoy
helping may father who is not very good with his computer.”
Mabunda is learning all he can about London ahead of
the trip there. “Everyone at home knows that I have been to Reiger Park (for
the Danone Nations Cup nationals finals), and soon they will also know that I
have been to London,” he said.
Both players give a lot of the credit for the team’s
success to coach, Thabo Bila. “He is a wonderful coach. He is kind and loves
people and he always congratulates us when we win our matches,” said
Smangaliso. “I loved playing in the Danone Nations Cup because we played
so many matches in one day and won most of them,” Njomo said. “If it wasn’t for
it, I wouldn’t know what it is like to be travelling on an airplane.”
Ends
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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