SuperSport Schools Plus

Socca Dream Academy transforming dreams into reality

By Siya Pongco , in Football | Featured Football | News , at 2025-02-01 Tags: ,

u14 IberCup South Africa champions, Socca Dream. Photo. Socca Dream.

The Socca Dream Academy is a force in South African football, providing young players with opportunities to enhance their skills, make progress in their development, and, potentially, secure places at esteemed academies in Italy.

January has proven to be a bustling period for the academy, which maintains a presence in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. It was an especially exciting month for Allen Kanyane and Matthew Mbekeni, who both headed off to the Canaletto Elite Academy in Italy, where the most capped international goalkeeper of all time, the legendary Gianluigi Buffon, began his career.

It’s a reward for the duo’s commitment and perseverance at Socca Dream, where they developed their games from a young age.

“As they embark on this exciting journey, both Allen and Matthew are set to continue their development as athletes and individuals, representing the hard work and dedication that has characterised their time at the Socca Dream Academy,” Socca Dream said in a press statement.

They will be joined in Italy by Holy Family College learners, Bokang Modikeng, aged 15, and Junior Letawana, aged 19, who are with Socca Dream in Johannesburg. They depart on Sunday.

Earlier this week, SuperSport Schools Plus sat down for a chat with the Holy Family College boys.

Junior, originally from Bloemfontein – a city renowned for its rich historical significance in South African football and home to prominent players and clubs, such as Bloemfontein Celtic and Free State Stars – revealed that he first travelled to Johannesburg in pursuit of better opportunities upon learning that Socca Dream was conducting trials.

“My story: When they were hosting trials, I missed the first day because there was a miscommunication between coach Aris and my mum. They told me I could come on the second day and the third day, so I was a bit scared that I was not going to get chosen.”

Junior said he was in a panic because his mother had paid a lot of money to give him a chance to realise his football dream. He didn’t want to waste it, so he worked hard and turned to his faith for strength. “I had faith that if I didn’t get picked up there would be another opportunity,” he said.

Every footballer aspires to play internationally, he continued, while acknowledging that not many players have the chance to do so. Junior expressed his gratitude towards the Socca Dream family for helping young athletes, through their coaches, to grow and excel as footballers, while also helping them to develop as people.

Although his parents remain in Bloemfontein, he said he continues to receive extraordinary support from his family. His mother visits him in Johannesburg every three months.

Being away from home has contributed to his personal growth, Junior said, and it has made him realise that the life of a footballer demands considerable mental resilience. However, he emphasised the importance of not overlooking the support system provided by his family.

With his trip to Italy drawing near, he said he still finds it hard to believe he is going overseas. He intends to seize the opportunity to learn from others and develop in a new environment. “I consider myself a student of the game, so adapting will not be difficult for me, and I am immensely grateful to my coaches for their faith in us, and for helping us to become better players,” he concluded.

Bokang Modikeng who looks up to 20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng, of Orlando Pirates, as a role model, said football is immensely important to him. Playing the game gives him great joy, he stated.

When he first joined Socca Dream, he struggled with his confidence and felt intimidated by his teammates, who appeared to be physically stronger. However, with the guidance of his coaches, Bokang began to truly enjoy the game.

Now, he said he cherishes it when his team faces pressure as he believes that challenging situations reveal a player’s true character. He acknowledged that, in football, outcomes are not always in one’s favour, no matter how hard one may try.

In December, Bokang turned out for the Socca Dream in the Iber Cup, in Johannesburg. He described that experience as a memory he will always treasure. During the tournament, Highlands Park, known for their strength, quick transitions, and cohesive defensive play, truly impressed him, he admitted.

At the Iber Cup, he also had opportunities to observe various international teams, including players from the French giants, Paris Saint Germain (PSG), which allowed him to learn and incorporate new strategies into his own game.

Both Bokang and Junior are immensely enthusiastic and determined to make the most of their time in Italy. They’ve vowed to stay grounded and diligent in pursuit of their dreams.

Siya Pongco
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.