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Y2K College describes itself as one of the best high schools in Cape Town – and the institution is fast becoming the best in sports development, too, producing athletes who go on to great things.

“The school opened a football academy to give our youth a platform and an opportunity to be successful in their academic and sporting careers. It is still an ongoing process, but we believe we are on the right track,” says Siya Stali, head of Y2K Football Academy.

After winning the Mandalay LFA league in their first attempt in 2017, and earning promotion to Super League in Lingelethu LFA – also in their first attempt – the club has seen players attracting interest from the professional sides in the country.

This week, 17-year-old defender Afikile Nogqla became the latest Y2K star to put his foot in the doors of the professional set-up when he joined Mamelodi Sundowns’ development side. He followed midfielder Abulele Dlekedla who was snapped by Cape Town City FC Under 18 a few weeks ago. And that was after Mihlali Gumbe got in the books of Cape Town Spurs a few years earlier.

“We are very proud to be able to develop players that can be recognized by professional teams,” Stali notes. “It shows there is something good that we are doing for youth development.”

The club has achieved a lot in its few years: some of the highlights,Stali says, include winning the Mandalay LFA league the same year they were established and winning promotion to the top league at Lingelethu LFA using mainly players under 18 years.

Y2K participates in almost every top amateur football competition in the Cape Town region, like the Bayhill Premier Cup and Engen Knockout Challenge, and has struck partnerships with a few professional clubs.

And the club aims to go as far high up as possible in the football sphere in the country – while making sure that the players develop more than just their football skills.

“The difference between us and other clubs is that we give young ones, mostly those under 23 years old, a chance to prove themselves and be scouted by professional teams. We also watch their studies – because they go together for holistic human development.”

Edited by Nicklaus Kruger