Mkiele looks forward to the Danone Nations Cup World Finals

Football has already taken 11-year old Asanda Mkiele to places he has never been before, and it’s going to get even better.  Asanda is a member of the Sinamuva Public Primary School football team that was crowned the Danone Nations Cup South Africa champions in June and the reward is a trip to Warsaw, Poland to participate in the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals, along with 39 other countries.

When Sinamuva Public Primary, from Imbali Township in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal won the Danone Nations Cup KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Final, they qualified to play in the National Finals in Johannesburg and for Asanda, like most of his team mates, that was the first time he had been out of Imbali.

“I was really scared. I was leaving home for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect from the other kids we would be playing against, and from the place itself,” he said.

Asanda is a centre-back who describes himself as being able to head the ball well and who is strong in defence and good at distributing and clearing the ball.

He was born into a family of four and lives with his grandmother, Thandazo Mkiele, who is a pensioner. His mother died two years ago and his father left immediately afterwards and they haven’t seen him since.

Asanda has dreams of becoming a doctor or a social worker one day and of making a difference in his community. “My grandmother motivates me,” he said. “She is very strong and has always told me to persevere, no matter how hard things are.”

Sinamuva Public Primary Schools’ journey in the Danone Nations Cup so far has not been easy, but it has been a dream come true, says Asanda. “Our facilities are not good and the opposition in the district and provincial playoffs were tough.  But hard work and determination saw us through.  What this has taught me is that dreams are never out of reach and that football can unite kids. I am proud of myself and my team mates.”

Asanda says that just winning this tournament has put his school on the map and he has been impressed with the support they have received from the local Department of Education and Department of Sport.  “Everyone is helping us prepare as best as possible.  I have never travelled anywhere far from Imbali. Football took us to Jo’burg, and now we are going to Poland. I can’t wait,” he said.

Danone Nations Cup South Africa ambassador, Neil Tovey, will be in Jo’burg to talk to the kids before they leave.  “My message to them will be to enjoy every moment and just go out there and do your best.  It is not about winning, but about learning and I can bet these kids will pick up some valuable football tips from other countries.”