KIRK de Boer and Chadley Jacobs are names to look out for in the very near future in the world of soccer.
The two 16-year-old Gelvandale boys got a big break when they secured places in the SuperSport Academy and will be jetting into Pretoria today to begin life in professional football.
De Boer and Jacobs played for Swallows in Port Elizabeth and caught the eye of a number of professional soccer clubs from around the country including Bay United, Orlando Pirates and Santos. But they opted to go for trials with SuperSport United.
“SuperSport have the best academy and the best set-up in the country. Being part of them will be great for me to kick-start my career. It is sad for me, since I‘ll be leaving my family behind, but the move is great for my career, one I could not let pass,” said De Boer.
The youngsters have their eyes set on making an impact at their new club and are already hoping to move to Europe in the near future.
“For now we will concentrate on the academy and try to secure permanent spots in the first team next season. After that we have our eyes on going overseas, and that is possible because guys like Daine Klate, who is playing for SuperSport at the moment, and Kermit Erasmus have done it,” said Jacobs.
De Boer and Jacobs made a great impression at the under-17 interprovincial tournament that took place last December in Gauteng, resulting in their selection.
The pair‘s successful moves were initiated by former PE soccer heroes Bruce July and Frankie Schoeman.
The two former stars last year decided to give back to the community by assisting young soccer players who showed the potential of making it as professionals. They held personal coaching clinics and used the contacts they had acquired at various clubs over the years to “give the boys an opportunity to prove themselves”.
“We train youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at the Gelvan Grounds. But we do not take them away from their clubs. We give them a more personal form of coaching.
“We encourage parents and coaches who have kids with potential to bring them to us for free. The management of Swallows was superb when it came to that because now the two boys have this great chance,” said former Bafana Bafana player Schoeman.
July added that the coaching pair were not agents or managers, but merely pass on to the youngsters what they had learnt from their days as professionals. He also said they hoped to get backing for logistics in order for them to reach other areas in the metro to assist with the careers of potential future stars like De Boer and Jacobs.
The two boys will be jetting off to Turkey and Holland in April with the Academy side to take on European opposition.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
FC Moscow and MFC Kosice visit PE for EC Soccer Challenge
FC MOSCOW‘S Slovak international Martin Jakubko is looking forward to facing local footballers in the Eastern Cape Soccer Challenge that begins at the EPRU Stadium in Port Elizabeth today.
The 194cm-tall striker, on his first visit to South Africa, said he hoped this would not be the last time he visited the country.
“This is a beautiful country, but very far from home. I do hope I will be back here next year for the World Cup,” he said. His dream is likely to come true as his national team currently leads its group in the qualifying stages for the world tournament.
“I am looking forward to testing myself against the African players. I have unfortunately not had the opportunity to watch too much of South African football other than in the African Cup of Nations. What I know, though, is that South African players are strong and can run very fast, so it‘s going to be quite a challenge for us against them,” he said.
Jakubko will be one of the players to watch for when Bay United, Jomo Cosmos, Slovakian side MFK Kosice (currently placed fourth in the Slovak league), and FC Moscow meet in the tournament. FC Moscow coach Miroslav Bozovic, who has been at the club‘s helm for only a month, indicated that the tournament was a great opportunity for preparations for the commencement of the Russian league.
“I have brought a very strong side of 24 players, and we will be playing to win the tournament. The conditions here in South Africa are very good for our preparations for the Russian national championships,” he said.
Although both FC Moscow and Kosice are in the region to concentrate on football, both sides are looking forward to going on a safari that has been organised for the two sides at the weekend.
Charlie Jantjies, of tournament organisers GA Sport, said it was hoped that the tournament would have a great impact on the readiness of Port Elizabeth to host the 2010 World Cup, and would also have economic value for the metro. The clubs will be visiting local schools and soccer clubs to hold coaching clinics for soccer players and referees during their stay.
The tournament kicks off tonight with Jomo Cosmos taking on Kosice at 6pm, and Bay United and FC Moscow following at 8.15pm for the first of four days of matches. Other games will take place on Thursday this week and again on January 27, with the final on January 29.
The 194cm-tall striker, on his first visit to South Africa, said he hoped this would not be the last time he visited the country.
“This is a beautiful country, but very far from home. I do hope I will be back here next year for the World Cup,” he said. His dream is likely to come true as his national team currently leads its group in the qualifying stages for the world tournament.
“I am looking forward to testing myself against the African players. I have unfortunately not had the opportunity to watch too much of South African football other than in the African Cup of Nations. What I know, though, is that South African players are strong and can run very fast, so it‘s going to be quite a challenge for us against them,” he said.
Jakubko will be one of the players to watch for when Bay United, Jomo Cosmos, Slovakian side MFK Kosice (currently placed fourth in the Slovak league), and FC Moscow meet in the tournament. FC Moscow coach Miroslav Bozovic, who has been at the club‘s helm for only a month, indicated that the tournament was a great opportunity for preparations for the commencement of the Russian league.
“I have brought a very strong side of 24 players, and we will be playing to win the tournament. The conditions here in South Africa are very good for our preparations for the Russian national championships,” he said.
Although both FC Moscow and Kosice are in the region to concentrate on football, both sides are looking forward to going on a safari that has been organised for the two sides at the weekend.
Charlie Jantjies, of tournament organisers GA Sport, said it was hoped that the tournament would have a great impact on the readiness of Port Elizabeth to host the 2010 World Cup, and would also have economic value for the metro. The clubs will be visiting local schools and soccer clubs to hold coaching clinics for soccer players and referees during their stay.
The tournament kicks off tonight with Jomo Cosmos taking on Kosice at 6pm, and Bay United and FC Moscow following at 8.15pm for the first of four days of matches. Other games will take place on Thursday this week and again on January 27, with the final on January 29.
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