Cape Town will play host to the youngest soccer talent in South Africa this weekend.
After waiting for what seems like forever, the country’s top U7s all the way up to U14s gather for a football festival like no other on South African soil at Hartleyvale.
There’s usually a huge fuss made about kids in the older age groups, but this week it’s all about the kids in the Lucky Star Cup.
The tournament, in its ninth year, was previously known as the Kapstadt Cup, named after the hosting club FC Kapstadt.
And this year even Mamelodi Sundowns and Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will participate for the first time.
It should be very interesting how some of the parents who support these Gauteng clubs at PSL level, choose their allegiance with their kids playing for the local Cape teams.
Their loyalty will be tested for sure, not only because of what will be happening on the pitch, but because some of the parents can lekker chirp and create quite the frenzy when they cheer for their laaities!
Football goes full circle for many of these parents as well, because of the memories at Hartleyvale which was once the main area and field for professional football back in the days.
MEMORIES: Doctor Khumalo. Picture: Shamuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.
It’s where I also watched my first live match when Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo ran circles around Hellenic.
We walked from Langa and back in those days, so I can imagine there will be some stories exchanged.
There will be celebrity matches to add some spice and fun to the mix.
Last year there was an FC Kapstadt Old Boys team, which included record-breaking freestyle juggler Khris Njokwana and Asavela Mbekile who now turns out for Orlando Pirates.
The country needs these kind of tournaments, for far too long South Africa has been getting by not making the most of players’ natural talent in the early stages of development.
It’s often by chance.
Kanti by putting kids in organised football they learn earlier, not only how to play but to also respect the game.
Which I found very interesting that the the message of zero-tolerance approach to abusive language and bad conduct by players, clubs, coaches and spectators alike was emphasised for this tournament.
This is a part that has proven not to be a focus area for local football and as a result we end top with kids who lack respect for the game and opponents.
LOCAL HERO: Khris Njokwana. Picture: Supplied.
It’s also probably why South Africa’s history with players who can’t handle the fame as they progress in the game.
Who knows, we might just meet the next great South African superstar before he becomes big time this weekend.
Wouldn’t it be nice if he would also be a Capetonian? I know I’m being bias, a man can only dream or kanjani?
Hope to see you there ouens!