It was a significant moment for the Young Bafana Soccer Academy, and one that took sheer grit and determination, when the Premier Soccer League (PSL) became a reality for one of its players yet again.
Asanda Zuka Diyani, a midfielder at Richard’s Bay FC, has distinguished himself as the second graduate of the academy to make it into the top tier of football in South Africa. The first player to do so is Eyona Ndondo, a player at Cape Town Spurs FC.
Diyani, or Bazuka as he is known at Young Bafana, was one of the academy’s very first player recruits in 2010.
Coming from the township of Lwandle, the talenter footballer would make his way to training on foot daily, regardless of the weather and perils of the N2 highway. At the time Young Bafana trained at a high school in Somerset West.
Diyani spent five years at the academy, playing in its high-performance team until the age of 18, before securing a professional contract.
Richard’s Bay FC and Cape Town Spurs FC came head-to-head at the King Goodwill Zwelethini Stadium last Sunday (15 May). The match saw Richard’s Bay win the GladAfrica Championship with a goalless draw, which was enough to promote them to the elite DSTV Premier Soccer League next season.
Young Bafana Soccer Academy is currently n the middle of the High Performance League season, with training sessions held at their new arena facility in Strand up to four times a week.
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Youngsters interested in training with Young Bafana are encouraged to join their YB Stars Skills programme. For more details, send an email to Christalla on christalla@youngbafana.com.
