Inga Makhoba has not let anything deter her from becoming the first and, so far, only female player at the East London-based Carlos Soccer Youth Development Academy (CSYDA).
CSYDA director Eric ‘Carlos’ Mtshamba said he was impressed with her performance after watching her playing with boys last year.
“She was playing in a midfielder position in East London last year and after assessing her with other players, I decided to give her a chance,” Mtshamba said.
“She is very comfortable on the ball, doing the basics correctly, was coping with the pace of the game and I can confidently say that in her I see a future Banyana Banyana star.”
Makhoba’s proud mother, Tabisa Gadezweni, said she was excited about her daughter’s achievement.
“Inga is crazy about football.
“You will always find her tapping a ball or playing soccer with boys.
“This move was something she had been dreaming about for years,” Gadezweni said.
Mtshamba said it was difficult for them to train during the lockdown but they have adopted professional clubs’ methods of training from home.
“Inga will form part of the U13 team and will be treated with respect like any other player,” said Mtshamba.
He said that CSYDA has been invited to the Lucky Star Cup 2020 tournament, formerly known as the Kapstadt Cup.
The Lucky Star Cup is an annual grassroots football festival hosted by FC Kapstadt as a fundraising initiative and was held for the first time in 2010.
