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IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
KZN youngsters overcome challenges to compete at the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden
Mariannridge friends Delon Taylor and Ansley Cloete managed to avoid socio-economic problems in their community to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in the Gothia Cup soccer tournament taking place in Sweden, from Sunday. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo Eight KwaZulu-Natal youngsters will depart Johannesburg's International Airport for Sweden, on Friday, for the Gothia Cup soccer tournament taking place from Sunday. Zarina Agherdien, coordinator of the Bluff-based team, the KZN Lyons, explained that selections for this opportunity took place at the Unity Cup in Johannesburg, which was hosted by her partners in football and development, the German International Soccer Academy-South Africa (GIS). Despite challenges, the boys managed to raise the required funding to pay for their tickets. The boys include: Raul Abrahams (Pietermaritzburg); Shaye Moody (Wentworth); Delon Taylor (Marianridge); Luwellyn Loots (Newlands); Braylen Roaskruge (Wentworth); Ezra Hutchinson (Wentworth) and Mikhaeel Montgomery (Sydenham), and Ansley Cloete (Mariannridge). Mariannridge friends Taylor,16, and Cloete,17, managed to avoid socio-economic problems in their community to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime. Both boys are in Grade 9. Delon is a midfielder, while Ansley is a goalkeeper. Delon and Ansley will be competing in the under-18 squad and claim that they are worthy candidates for this international footballing experience. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Agherdien said the Gothia Cup is the world's largest football tournament, attracting teams and, more importantly, scouts from across the world, providing valuable exposure and elite competition. They worked tirelessly to earn this opportunity and honed their skills by competing notably in the eThekwini u.16 development league in 2024. Ansley's mother, Genevieve Anyigulile, spoke of her struggles in raising four children in an abandoned sports ground's changing room for the past 12 years. Anyigulile said it was an emotional send-off. 'Although we could not go to the bus station, my neighbours and I gave him a send-off. He has never been away from home, and he will now learn to be self-sufficient. He has good company and people around him. I know he will be a success,' Anyigulile said. Tracy Taylor encouraged her son Delon to stay focused and follow his dreams and regarded Taylor as an unsung hero in the community who would one day inspire others. Agherdien together with football director Zaid Poultney made it their duty to know each of their players' worth, mannerisms, and needs. 'We see them as our own. What we are trying to do is difficult because most of them do not come from privileged backgrounds,' she said. Poultney played football, and Agherdien played hockey, both following in their parents' footsteps. She strongly believes that sports can change lives.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Mariannridge boys rise from poverty to seize a chance at the Gothia Cup
Delon Taylor and Ansley Cloete of Mariannridge, who are registered with KZN Lyons Football club, need donations to play in a tournament in Sweden. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Two Mariannridge mothers, living in poverty, shed tears of joy when they heard that their sons were selected to play in the Gothia Cup soccer tournament in Sweden on July 13, 2025. However, the teenage boys who are best friends and have avoided drug abuse are in desperate need of donations to help them reach their dream of attending the tournament. Zarina Agherdien, coordinator of the Bluff-based team, the KZN Lyons, explained that selections for this opportunity took place at the Unity Cup in Johannesburg, which was hosted by her partners in football and development, the German International Soccer Academy-South Africa (GIS). Agherdien said the chosen nine players will join an assembled GIS squad and compete at the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Agherdien stated that the Gothia Cup is the world's largest football tournament, attracting teams and, more importantly, scouts from across the world, providing valuable exposure and elite competition. Delon Taylor,16, and Ansley Cloete,17, who are registered with KZN Lyons, competed in tournaments across South Africa and, according to Agherdien, have honed their strength and skills to be ready for this opportunity. Both boys are in Grade 9. Delon is a midfielder, while Ansley is a goalkeeper. Delon and Ansley will be competing in the under-18 squad and claim that they are worthy candidates for this international footballing experience. They worked tirelessly to earn this opportunity and honed their skills by competing notably in the eThekwini u16 development league in 2024. Agherdien said that to ensure that they can take full advantage of the life changing experience, the club is seeking sponsorship. Delon Taylor helps his mother Genevieve Anyigulile move house in Mariannridge near Pinetown. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Agherdien said the tournament is a prime scouting ground for top European clubs, offering young talents to be discovered. Football legends such as Xavi Alonso and Sweden's own Zlatan Ibrahimovic were first recognised at these tournaments. This, she said, is a launch pad for future stars. Agherdien said the club took immense pride in developing young football talent, and they were excited to share a significant milestone in their journey. Ansley's mother, Genevieve Anyigulile, spoke of her struggles in raising four children in an abandoned sports ground's changing room for the past 12 years. Anyigulile and her husband, Adley Sayers, turned the one-room dilapidated structure into their home. Anyigulile said she does odd jobs in the community and works part-time wherever she can find jobs. On Wednesday, while trying to get a sponsor for Ansley, the family was moving their meagre belongings into a flat nearby, which would be their temporary home. Holding back tears, Anyigulile said her children were insulted in school because of the squalid conditions they lived in. 'The children were looked down upon by others and often teased and had to hear remarks that they grew up in a toilet. My husband buys bundles of clothes and other accessories and walks door to door to sell them. I am glad Ansley did not take drugs or join the wrong company," she said. Sayers said: 'I woke up with a ceiling over my head and a water supply. There is no electricity yet, but I am grateful.' Tracy Taylor, a mother of three, also lives in a one-bedroom home nearby. Taylor encouraged her son Delon to stay focused and dream big. Delon said he aspires to be an engineer in the future. Wendy Swartling and Peter Gradwell from the Khoisan committee are also coordinating fundraising efforts to help the boys reach their target of R37,500 each. Anyigulile said: 'I thank the lord that things are going well. I did not want to die and leave my family homeless and thrown out onto the streets. I want them to pursue their dreams.' Ansley said joining a local church helped keep him occupied. His crowning moment was scoring a penalty kick and saving one during a tournament in Johannesburg recently. Anyone willing to contribute can email or Delon Taylor and Ansley Cloete. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
