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FC Khayelitsha has just turned ten – and what better way to celebrate their 10th anniversary than by realizing a goal the club has been working tirelessly towards: playing in the top league of football?
The Khayelitsha-based team finished top of the Regional Third Division in the Safa Overberg in the 2023 season, earning a well-deserved promotion to the higher regional Championship League – the fourth tier of football, sitting just below the ABC Motsepe League, Motsepe Foundation Championship, and the DSTV Premiership.
Recently, FC Khayelitsha captain, Songezo Eland, was presented with the winners trophy in Caledon by the SAFA leadership, which included President Dr Danny Jordaan. THe club’s hitman Luvo Sibaca finished as the top goal scorer in the region.
Club co-founders Nkosiyakhonzwa ‘Chief’ Sibotho and Sandile Dlamini Dlamini share what the win means to the side.
“The mood in the team is very positive, and we are elated about our accomplishment,” says Dlamini. “It hasn’t been an easy journey.”
The two men established the club with the primary goal of steering young individuals away from social ills such as crime, drugs, and gangsterism. The team draws players from surrounding Cape Town areas, including Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Eersterivier, and Lower Crossroads. The club boasts U13, U15, U18, and senior men’s teams and recently added a women’s team.
Initially, the club was affiliated with the Mandela Park LFA in Khayelitsha in 2013 before moving to the Mandalay LFA in 2017. Eventually, they purchased a Third Division franchise in the Overberg region a few years ago.
That’s when they discovered that the style of football in the Overberg region wasn’t quite what they were used to in Cape Town.
“Cape Town football offers a variety of styles, including carpet football, interchanging passes, and dribbling. In contrast, football in the Overberg Region focuses on forward passing and a more direct style of play,” explains Sibotho, who is also the head coach.
This year, after falling short of promotion in previous seasons, FC Khayelitsha experienced a change in fortune.
Dlamini attributes their success to a strategic shift, saying, “What worked for FC Khayelitsha this season, especially, was achieving a balance within the squad by integrating U15/U17 players. Many of our senior players have full-time jobs, making it challenging to honour our fixtures with a complete squad. Therefore, we chose to promote youth players for consistent play, attendance, and teamwork, aligning everyone towards our objective. We thank our Junior Development Coach for his hard-work ensuring basic skills are covered at any early stage.“
The team’s promotion has injected new energy and optimism into the club – and new aspirations as well.
Dlamini confidently states, “Our short-term plan is to see FC Khayelitsha clinch the Championship this season and advance to the ABC Motsepe League. Our larger goal is to compete in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, providing greater exposure for our players. It’s all about their futures and careers, and we believe we can achieve these goals.”
Is Traveling to the Overberg More Cost-Effective Than Playing Locally?
Dlamini believes the difference in costs is not significant. “In Cape Town, teams often play on both Saturday and Sunday, and each player must pay a gate fee of R5. Additionally, transportation costs from Khayelitsha to Mandela Park amount to R600 for both days, not including food expenses for players, which can be around R200.”
On the other hand…
“When we travel to the Overberg, we utilize our seven-seater cars and spend around R300 on petrol per car for a round trip. We only travel once per weekend, either on Saturday or Sunday, for all our games, and we do not pay gate fees. Moreover, the referees in the Overberg region are all licensed and semi-professional, enhancing the overall experience with fairness and transparency.”
Although the Championship League is set to commence in early 2024, FC Khayelitsha has already begun scouting for quality players in Cape Town to strengthen their squad.
Dlamini has issued a call to the broader community, urging them to consider sponsoring FC Khayelitsha with a bus or Quantum for transportation to matches and gym sessions, as their players are spread throughout Cape Town. Additionally, they welcome support from businesspeople to provide food and energy drinks for the players.
