For the 14 young players and technical personnel of Bloemfontein City FC currently on a European tour to the 2023 Cuneo Granda Cup tournament in Italy, the trip goes beyond the fun of sightseeing and playing. Jimmy Augousti, founder of the development, stresses that the international trip is educational.
“This is also about learning important life lessons and real football experience. The great life lessons I would like to take from this tour and exposure these boys are getting, is that there are possibilities and greater dreams to aim for. The key is that they learn that you are born with football talent. If they follow the right path, work on their talent, and have support, they too can go to play major football leagues anywhere in the world.
“We try to make it realistic and visible to them, using Benni McCarthy as a perfect and living example. We visited Porto Museum where pictures of the man (McCarthy) are all over the wall. All our children can relate to McCarthy. I told them that if Benni comes from the same background us you, then land up here in Porto, so can you,” says Augousti, former managing director of the now defunct Bloemfontein Celtic – alias Phunya Sele Sele. The team also visited the FC Porto Stadium.
Augousti emphasised that McCarthy’s achievements internationally was a great source of inspiration.
McCarthy’s induction in Porto Museum recognised his contribution to FC Porto winning the Champions League in 2004, beating AS Monaco 3-0 in the final. He is the first and, to this day, only South African winner of Europe’s most coveted prize in club football. The former Bafana Bafana record goal scorer was one of those who secured important goals in Porto’s famous win of the Champions League. He was one illustrious coach Jose Mourinho’s trusted players, who led Porto to the glorious win.
Augousti is accompanied by David “Rasta” Modise, one of South Africa’s award-winning football stalwart, and Marco, a youthful upcoming coach. Marco is Augousti’s son.
The team landed safely in Porto on Sunday, having jetted-off for Europe on Saturday (27/05), en route to Italy to participate in the Granda Cup tournament, taking place on 3 and 4 June. The brief stop in Portugal’s second largest city is part of the club’s learning programme.
Emma Wymers, whose son Tristan is part of City, is delighted. “I am very excited. This is beyond my expectations as a mother. My wish is that the boys enjoy the tour and experience. May God bless the organisers and City managers. What they are teaching our boys are life lessons. My own son, Tristan, is on another level,” says Wymers.
City, representing South Africa will debut in the 16 nations tournament. Among other clubs representing their countries are Olympic de Marseille of France, FC Porto and Vitoria de Guimaraes (both from Portugal), Everton from England, Servette of Switzerland, and Atalanta, Parma, Torino, Inter, Juventus, Monza, Sampdoria, Genoa, Cremonese and Frosnone – all from Italy.
