DELMAS – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has launched a new initiative to discover young football talent in the Nkangala region.
On Sunday, July 21, SAFA introduced the Nkangala Emerging Talent Programme, aimed at scouting, identifying, and nurturing promising under-17 players from across the region. This programme is a strategic move to bolster the future of South African national teams by developing young players and igniting their passion for the sport.
The initiative includes a series of inter-Local Football Association (LFA) leagues where talented youngsters from different LFAs compete. Group A consists of Victor Khanye LFA, Steve Tshwete LFA, and Dr JS Moroka LFA, while Group B comprises Emalahleni LFA, Thembisile Hani LFA, and Emakhazeni LFA. These competitive matches offer players a platform to showcase their skills, refine their techniques, and gain valuable experience.
The Nkangala Emerging Talent Programme goes beyond mere talent identification; it focuses on comprehensive player development. Alongside training sessions and matches, the programme places a strong emphasis on education, discipline, and character-building. Coaches and mentors are dedicated to instilling values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance, ensuring that players grow into well-rounded individuals both on and off the field.
SAFA’s technical director, Walter Steenbok, highlighted ongoing projects in an interview with Highveld Chronicle. “We have numerous projects, supported by FIFA, including the Talent Development (TDS) Scheme programme and upcoming interprovincial under-15 competitions for both boys and girls,” he said. Steenbok added, “As you may have noticed, there has been a 65% increase in coaching courses in South Africa. You can’t develop good players without having good coaches, so we’re addressing this parallelly. We are running development programmes focusing on boys and girls from under-15, progressing them to under-17. At the same time, we are also developing coaches through various levels, including D, C, and A. Additionally, there will be a new B license course in Angola this December. These initiatives are part of our efforts to ensure that the development of the game reaches the highest standards.”
The Nkangala Emerging Talent Programme aims to prepare these young players for future national team selections, targeting the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and other continental competitions. SAFA’s dedication to finding and nurturing the next generation of football stars is clear as they work to elevate South African football to new heights.
