A Manenberg laaitie dreams of one day playing for English football giants Liverpool, but first he needs to raise R12 000 for a trip to Windhoek, Namibia.
The 14-year-old Uzair Rogers has been playing footie since the age of four and when he turned 10, he moved from midfield to in between the posts, as a goalkeeper where he continued to shine.
His proud mom, Ragmat Rogers, says: “When Uzair started, he made the under seven team at Tottenham Spurs here in Manenberg and later when he became a goalkeeper he made the Manenberg Board Team before he joined FC Gau in Bellville last February.”
She says her son is mal for Liverpool and Reds goalie Alisson Becker which makes things fun at home because everybody else supports Manchester United.
“When we watch football we have to take turns which team we watch and when Liverpool plays he gets kwaad when they are losing.
“When Alisson makes a mistake, he will shout at the TV and leave the house and come back later.”
Uzair has three siblings and Ragmat says while his stepfather Cassiem van der Rhede helps out, the family cannot afford his trip to Namibia.
“My mother used to look after the children, but when she passed away I had to leave my job,” says Ragmat who has been unemployed for four years.
“Uzair needs R10 000 for the trip and accommodation while the rest is for his boots and gloves. We do not even have a suitcase to give him for the trip.”
The trip to Windhoek will take place in August where FC Gau will take part in a youth tournament.
“Cassiem (chairperson of Uzair’s former team Orient FC) organised the trial at FC Gau last February and I remember that Uzair went there Monday afternoon and by the night the coach called him to say that he made the team.
“We are so proud of him and really want to see him achieve his dream of playing professionally.”
Anybody willing to help Uzair can contact either Ragmat on 061 916 8171 or Cassiem on 084 816 9911.