Memorable day for young soccer stars

21 January 2010 - 02:00
By Canaan Mdletshe

IT'S not every day that young soccer lovers get coaching tips from a national team technical member, let alone the coach.

But this was a rare moment for young players in KwaZulu-Natal when Bafana Bafana's technical staff took them through soccer drills.

Youngsters from as far as Newcastle took part in a special coaching clinic held at Chatsworth Stadium in Durban yesterday. Most of them could hardly believe their luck at the thought of practising where their idols such as Simphiwe Tshabalala, Teko Modise and others trained.

For Siphesihle Ngcobo, 13, yesterday was a day to remember.

"I'm excited to be at the stadium where big clubs like Golden Arrows and AmaZulu play, but more so to train on the same pitch where my heroes have been training. It's a great feeling," he said.

Bafana players signed autographs for the youngsters to their great excitement.

The national team is in the province as part of their preparatory camp for the Fifa World Cup in June. They will play two friendly matches - one against Swaziland at Chatsworth and another against Zimbabwe at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium.