What Eyethu FC – a club from the Barcelona Squatter Camp in Gugulethu – has achieved since its inception in 2019 is nothing short of remarkable.
A fairytale run in the playoffs of the Bayhill Premier Cup which ended at the group stage, coupled with a now second consecutive Engen KO Challenge qualification speak volumes about the impact they have made thus far.
Not to mention the young club’s two exports to PSL academies, Lungelo Ntshangase and Apiwe Mazondwa who went on to greener pastures at Cape Town City and Cape Town Spurs respectively.
All this with a lack of resources and the odds heavily stacked against them such as the socio economic conditions in the township and the surrounding areas.
These positive developments and success stories are all thanks to the tireless and unselfish work of two passionate coaches in their head coach Xolani Ndzelani and his assistant Sphamandla Gijana.
“Our vision and objectives are to produce quality players for our top teams in Cape Town players and to give hope to our youngsters. Ndzelani explained to No Bones with Jones. “I feel we are on the right track in producing more players and playing in these major tournaments. The plan is to produce a player for at least every 5 years we can send to academies and to create more role models in Gugs and Nyanga and use football as a means of education as well,” he added.
Eyethu, who plays their football at the Nyanga LFA currently comprises under-12, -14, -16, -18 and a senior team.
The under 18’s had to overcome Eagles Football Academy 6-5 on Penalties at the Chukker Road on Sunday to progress to the finals of the prestigious Engen tournament.
“For two years in a row we couldn’t make it past the group stages in the Bayhill playoffs and for us to achieve this it means a lot to our youngsters,” Ndzelani further added. “Last year we lost in the last 8 against Ubuntu Academy but this year we are looking to go one further,” he concluded.
Ndzelani highlighted that their (football) tasks are made much easier due to their We couldn’t have done Chairlady Ms Sinazo Ngqentsu who always make sure that they are not found wanting as far as the admin side of things is concerned.
“This allows us to focus on the players and give them as much of our time as we can, you know. She has been a big reason for our success thus far. We need to give her credit as well for her role from the admin side,” he concluded.
