HERBERT RACHUENE
Lemo Makhongela reckons he has what it takes to make it in the professional ranks. The 17-year-old aspiring Dynamic FC footballer, who won his club’s Player of Year and Chairman’s awards last Saturday, believes he is on the right track to achieve his childhood dream.
In 2006 the midfield expert was invited to a two week training camp with the Orlando Pirates juniors. After impressing at Orlando Pirates he was included in the Limpopo provincial u.17 team which participated in the National Championships in Durban.
He describes the training camp with Pirates and being part of the provincial team as turning points in his career.
"It is every player’s dream to train with a big team like Pirates. I learnt so much, it was a fulfilling two weeks and it inspired me a lot. I am a complete player now because of the experience," Makhongela says.
He recalls developing an immense passion for the beautiful game at the age of 12, after watching the Liverpool skipper Steven Gerald annihilating AC Milan, one of the UEFA Champions’s league matches.
"He is a fantastic player, a leader, role model on and off the pitch. I was very young then and I told myself that if I can play like him I will be the best.
"I then joined Dynamic Academy so that I can move closer to the dream. I believe every player needs a good development structure to become a better player.
"It was a different environment for me, because I was not used to being around people, but I adapted well. I thank my parents for their support throughout because it is not easy juggling soccer and school, but they have been great," says Makonghela who captains Capricorn High School’s u.17 soccer team.
He says he would love to play for the three times Premier Soccer League champions SuperSport United because of its good development structures.
"The level of professionalism is amazing and they have good training facilities. If you look at players that have made it to the Premier Soccer League coming from their development ranks, the list is admirable.
"I am talking about the likes of Daine Klate, Miguel Timm, Ronwen Williams, Tendani Ntsumayelo and Kermit Erasmus. These players are doing well in their respective teams because they have been well developed," Makhongela says. He also says he is looking forward to help his team in the Tyrack Junior League which resumes this week. Last season we did not do well, we finished in sixth position and that did not augur well with us.
"Our goal this season is to ensure that we finish the season on a high note," Makhongela says.