A young soccer official from the dusty streets of Site B in Khayelitsha says he chose sport over street life.
Asithandile Yeko (16), from the LR informal settlement, is one of the youngest football officials in the area.
Young referee’s journey began by chance
Yeko said he started officiating by chance, but later developed a deep love for the game.
Like many young boys from the townships, he grew up playing football. One day, while visiting Khayelitsha Stadium to play as usual, he unexpectedly found himself officiating a match.
“The whole thing started in 2022. We went to the stadium to play football. When we arrived, we found there was no referee for the game that was supposed to be played. The team owners asked me to officiate the u-17 match, which I did.
“To my surprise, after the game, the referee convenor in Khayelitsha, Ben Mdzanga, came to me, asked for my name and surname, and wrote them down. He told me I would become a referee in the Khayelitsha Local Football Association (LFA),” explained Yeko, adding that he later became an assistant referee.
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From township football fields to officiating senior matches
He said the following weekend he was asked to officiate one of the senior matches, which he handled successfully. Since then, he has never looked back.
“In my first match, I was very nervous, thinking the players would take advantage of me because they were older than me. Sometimes I was sceptical about penalising players because I thought they would intimidate me. But all the players were disciplined and listened to me. After the game, some of them came to shake my hand and encouraged me to continue refereeing,” he said.
Yeko said that in 2024 he moved to Lingelethu LFA, where he was already officiating senior games.
The Grade 10 learner at Iqhayiya Secondary School in Khayelitsha did not stay long at Lingelethu before moving to Athlone District LFA in May last year.
Young Khayelitsha referee chasing FIFA World Cup dream
“While I was under Lingelethu LFA in 2023, I completed a Level 1 refereeing course at Ntlanganiso High School, where I obtained a certificate. My dream is not only to officiate in the Betway Premiership but also at the FIFA World Cup one day. I am a registered referee, but I still have to complete more courses until I reach Level 5, which is the highest level,” said Yeko.
He described one of the top officials in the Betway Premiership, Abongile Tom, as one of his role models. He said every weekend he is in Athlone doing what he loves most.
“Within the short space of time in my career, I have officiated at tournaments such as the Denis Goldberg Cup in 2024 and 2025 at Turfhall Sports Complex in Athlone, the Engen Cup playoffs in 2025 at Turfhall Sports Complex in Athlone, and the Bayhill Premier Cup playoffs in 2026 at William Herbert Sports Ground in Wynberg,” he said.
The soft-spoken referee said that, as a soccer official, one needs to be calm and firm at the same time. He added that refereeing requires someone with a big heart who is not easily shaken.
Yeko thanked his parents and family for the support they continue to give him.
Teen soccer official encourages youth to stay focused
“I will always cherish the good days I spent under the Khayelitsha and Lingelethu LFAs. I believe that without them I would not be where I am today. To all the young people out there, focus on doing the right things. Do not be distracted or influenced by negative things,” he concluded.
