Cape Town - The South African street soccer team left Cape Town airport early on Saturday morning after a last minute sponsor helped secure the team tickets to the Homeless World Cup in Brazil.
"This is my dream come true. I really wanted to go this year," said Muntahaar Pienaar, 20, who did not make it to the cup last year due to an injury.
Last year the team returned from Milan, ranked 17th in the world, and brought home the Milan City Cup. But on Friday they still did not have the funds necessary to take their place among the 64 nations participating.
Last minute canvassing by ID leader Patricia de Lille secured a sponsorship from Cell C.
"We knew that the guys were going when she got Cell C on board," said Linzi, founder of MylifE, a foundation that works with at risk street youth and children. The three young men they are assisting are on the South African Homeless Team this year.
Team members were singing and laughing as they were trying on their team colours after receiving the news on Friday that they would be going to Rio de Janiero.
'I felt like a star'
"Today was the day I felt like a star," said Lukanyo Mjoka, 24, after he was appointed captain for the team.
The team consists of eight players from four different organisations involved with youth development and their coach Thomas van Louw. Director of South African Homeless Street Soccer (SAHSS), Clifford Martinus, was also accompanying them.
"We want to win the tournament and be the example for Bafana Bafana who is going to Brazil in 2014," said Mthandazo Magatya, 21.
The mother of one of the players, Nabeweeyah Slamdien, was there to see the players off.
'My journey'
"What a proud mother. That's where the tears come from," she said as she watched them go through security. "I'm very proud of him and all of them."
When asked about his expectations for the future, goalkeeper Vusumzi Shushu, 27, answered: "I want to be a mentor for other kids."
"This is the beginning of my journey"
Source - News24.co.za
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