No one can deny that Ubuntu Football Academy has filled the void left by Ajax Cape Town and even Cape Town Spurs in recent times – which is to provide young talented footballers with the platform to not only dream big, but to reach for their full potential in life – on and off the field.
The success stories of the academy are impressive – with their conveyor belt where talent comes in raw and graduates as the polished version to move onto bigger things in life.
Needless, to say that Casey Prince, the Founder and Executive Director of the academy has, over the years, indeed found the ‘magic formula’ where the talented ones have landed professional contracts at top clubs in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League.
The late Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs (may his soul rest in peace) and former SuperSport United midfielder Jesse Donn, who retired at age 25, are classic examples with many others who followed subsequently.
Hence, it also came as no surprise when they lifted their maiden title in the 36th edition of the prestigious u19 Bayhill Premier Cup at Athlone Stadium last year under the guidance of former pro player Mario Booysen.
It must be noted that it was one of the youngest squads with an average age of 17 years old in the history of the event.
Speaking to Prince regarding their expectations to become the first side since Ajax to successfully defend their title, Prince replied to Bones with Jones: “We are really excited about the challenge to defend it but, but I also don’t think it is something that has to be defended, it’s not like the LOC will come take our trophy from 2025.”
“It’s an accomplishment which that group of players achieved but this group of kids has to make their own moment because we have so many players who have moved onto new opportunities. There’s only like five or six (remaining) from the team of last year that are still part of the team so it’s a fairly new squad.
Prince further explained: “They are very young and even younger than last year’s team as we only have three u19’s in the current team. Yeah, but at the same time we feel it’s an exciting young group of players as a lot of them are playing in the ABC Motsepe League (Second Division) so they are steeled by the challenges of playing in that league.”
“They are really excited about the prospect of winning it again and they know they have to earn that as no one is going to give it to them and you know we have a tough group and it’s going to require a lot of effort to do so” Prince added.
Prince believed that the addition of former Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns defender, Mario Booysen to the academy has also added value as he commands the respect of the players.
“Mario is a good young coach that is learning his trade and is getting to do it in a great environment. He has a real way of getting their attention and this is really great to see,” Prince concluded.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY MARK WARD
The groups are as follows:
Group A: Bayhill United, JPM Antalyaspor, Bolobathaba FC, Stanturf United.
Group B: Cape Town City, Vasco Da Gama, Everton FC, Hout Bay United.
Group C: Stellenbosch, Virginia Sports Academy, Jomo’s Power, Two For Joy FC.
Group D: Chippa United, Randburg, Juventus FC, Matroosfontein FC.
Group E: Elite Pro Academy (Tanzania), Cape Town Spurs, Rygersdal FC, Eagles Performance Academy.
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns, SAFA Cape Town, Maties FC, Jacaranda Callies.
Group G: AmaTuks, Hungry Lions, Windhoek Gymnasium (Namibia), Stars of Africa.
Group H: Ubuntu Football Academy, Shayamoya Academy, Premier United, Aberdeen SC.
