Asanda Dyani is proud and excited after his team, Richard’s Bay Football Club, was promoted into the Dstv Premiership following a remarkable run in the GladAfrica Championship.
The side from KwaZuluNatal will now be competing with some of the country’s top football sides, with the 24-year-old from the dusty streets of Lwandle in the mix.
In an interview with City Vision, Dyani attributed their success to “hard work and dedication”.
Zuka, as he is well-known on the football circles, began his football career as a six year-old boy at Umnqophiso Primary School in Lwandle.
Like any other kids growing up in the township, Zuka told City Vision he once stopped playing the game he loved because of negative influences.
“It was not an easy road at all,” he points out. “There were a lot of disruptions along the way. People would tell me, ‘you’ll never make it’ (to professional football) as no one will see your talent because we are far away from football scouts in our area.”
Zuka said the owner of Two For Joy FC, a local football team, encouraged him to go back and play football, because he saw his “talent” and encouraged him not to “listen to negative opinions” as he was talented. Those words lingered in his mind long and kept him going.
While playing for Two For Joy, Zuka was then scouted by Young Bafana. He featured for the team at the annual Bayhill Cup. A week earlier, he trained with Cape Town City, before receiving a call in Johannesburg from Kaizer Chiefs.
“I went for trials at Kaizer Chiefs, and then reverse side coach, Arthur (Zwane) told me I am not going back to Cape Town. For me it was a dream just to enter Naturena, and I told myself I will give my all as if it were the last time.”
The left winger then plied his trade at Naturena for the reserves, netting six goals in his first season.
He believes it was during his stay at Naturena that his own father also started believing in him and people started recognising him.
Zuka then received an offer from the National First Division (NFD) side, which he did not refuse as he wanted to change his situation at home.
“I want to tell the young ones that come after me that everything is possible if you have a big enough heart.
“Put in the hard work, dedication, and it doesn’t matter where you come from,” he believes.
Zuka says he and his team will be going out next season to “fight”, for many teams may look on them as rookies but will be “surprised” at how their “hunger” will make them prevail.
He says the promotion has been all over social media and is humbled by the reception he has received thus far.
Zuka has promised to be a “leader” and show “respect to people” as many may now look up to him for inspiration.
