Siyabonga Dumiso is the Makana's new Footballer of the Year. The 28-year-old Makana Rhini United (Maru) player, who also coaches the Rhodes University women's soccer team, was awarded the title at the Makana Local Football Association's recent awards ceremony. The award was for his achievements in the 2011/2012 season.
Siyabonga Dumiso is the Makana's new Footballer of the Year. The 28-year-old Makana Rhini United (Maru) player, who also coaches the Rhodes University women's soccer team, was awarded the title at the Makana Local Football Association's recent awards ceremony. The award was for his achievements in the 2011/2012 season.
To me to be awarded the best footballer of the year is just a good feeling, which makes me run out of words. I am extremely excited and I feel so honoured, said Dumiso.
He said he was inspired by his father to play soccer.
My father used to tell me he was a soccer player, and how good he was, so that made a huge impact on my soccer career. He is the one who inspired me to tackle my soccer boots and go fight for the ball in the field, said Siya.
Besides that, Dumiso said, where he grew up, everyone around him was playing soccer. His soccer career started with the Nombulelo Secondary School soccer team and he went on to be a shining star in the Walter Sisulu University squad. He was also nominated from the Maru team to play for the Makana Football Association.
Dumiso said he'd applied for the position as Rhodes University women's soccer coach because he wanted to develop women's soccer within the university. He went on to say that love for the game, and discipline, are his secret ingredients to becoming a good player and a good coach.
Dumiso said the best moments of his soccer career were when he played for the Vodacom League, when he was accepted as the Rhodes women's soccer coach and when he was nominated as the best player in the Wonke soccer tournament at Butterworth.
And he's overjoyed about his latest award.
I want to play seriously, pursue my soccer career and, God willing, play internationally, said Dumiso, who is also a proud and caring father to a one-year old daughter and a four-year-old son.
Dumiso's advice to young people in Grahamstown is to stay away from drugs. That, he says, is the best starting point for becoming a good soccer player.
I would urge the youth to love sport, to engage themselves in sport and dedicate their time to sport, because there could be more opportunities out there for them to chase for their wishes and pursue their dreams, Dumiso said.
