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FORMER Bafana Bafana midfielder – and local player, Sipho Nzuzo – told PE Express in Motherwell recently that parents should show moral support to their children who take part in sport.
Nzuzo, who was a star player of KwaZakhele-based Young Brothers FC, said parents have a significant role to play, so that their children can succeed in life. Nzuzo started his football career on the right wing at just five years old, and he also said he played all positions.
“In order to be a great player, one needs to display self-discipline and give all the best in whatever you are doing. Discipline goes a long way. No one must give up, perseverance breeds success,” Nzuzo said.
“My late elder brother, Bennett Nzuzo, who was Brothers’ player-coach, seemed to be harsh to me, but he helped me very much in my football career. Bennett used to say to us as players, we should work very hard.”
Nzuzo, who holds a BA Ed Honours degree in Education, and a Sports Management Certificate in Sports Law, played for the PSL sides Manning Rangers in Durban from 1999 to 2003, Ajax Cape Town in 2003, and Mamelodi Sundowns in 2003.
Sader, as Nzuzo is affectionately called by his supporters, played professional football for 12 years.
He played a major role in the formation of the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) for which he was a national co-ordinator.
Nzuzo was also general secretary of South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) and a head of sport at Cida City Campus in Johannesburg.
“The parents need to encourage their children by watching them when they practise and play games. Today the football standard is going down the drain. It is not the parents alone, but football administrators are not serious about football development. They have no vision; hence I say they are clueless. Coaching education is extremely needed and the administrators show no interest in developing grassroots soccer.
“School football is dead and the talent is nurtured at schools but that does not happen. The teachers are not supported at all. The kinds of players we have today are not serious about football. There are many social ills our children are faced with.”
Currently, Nzuzo is the founder of the Mentoring Lounge Project where he helps the youth to realise their dreams.
