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One of the best leagues in the world, La Liga, is on a mission to bridge the gap between advanced European football and promising young South African soccer players.
The Spanish league will take three promising players and a young coach to the European country next month.
While in Spain, Philani Kunene (13) from Orange Farm, Prince Moeketsi (15) from Kagiso, and 16-year-old Charlton Jade from Rustervaal will get the chance to rub shoulders with some of the best footballers in the world.
The three youngsters, who were selected from 100 finalists in the Gauteng Future Players Talent Search, will be accompanied on the overseas trip by aspiring Future Coach winner and University of Johannesburg player Christa Flora Kgamphe.
They will showcase their skills and tour cities such as Valencia and Madrid. They will also watch the league game between Valencia and Atletico Madrid.
La Liga’s African office director Antonio Barradas said the young South Africans would tour the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, the Madrid museum, as well as Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderón Stadium and museum. They would also train with the academies of the finalists of the Uefa Champions League clubs.
“One of La Liga’s objectives on the African continent is to provide a platform for young grassroots players who have the drive, skills and passion – where we can reward their efforts by giving them the chance to experience the best football, expertise and facilities in the world,” Barradas said. – Staff reporter
