KNYSNA NEWS – Young local footballer Chulumanco 'Ndulula' Nkohla recently returned home to Concordia following a brief trial period with a third-division club in Bloemfontein, Black Cross.
A talented soccer star, Nkohla recently spent 18 days in the City of Roses where he was on trial with Black Cross, that are so far unbeaten in Stream 1B of the Free State region's ABC Motsepe League.
They have won 10 of their 11 games, drawing the other, and are two points ahead of Mangaung United.
The ABC Motsepe League is the third tier of South African football. The competition features 144 teams in total, divided into nine divisions that are located in the nine geo-political provinces of South Africa. Each provincial division comprises 16 teams.
The winner of each provincial division qualifies for the annual Promotional Play-offs where they are divided into two streams with the winners of the two streams being promoted to the National First Division.
The young man from Knysna left his friends and family – father Michael, mother Nokuphumla and older brother Khanyisa (21) – to follow his football dream in Bloemfontein. The bright hopeful didn't disappoint as he stuck to his tried and tested attacking style of football.
After enjoying some great moments at Black Cross, Nkohla has returned home for a while. He will be heading back to Bloemfontein for the second assessment in April.
Born and bred in Knysna, Nkohla is a former Concordia High School learner. He started his lower grades at Knysna Christian School and passed Grade 7 in 2017.
The talented 19-year-old winger currently plays for Knysna-based CX Celtics in the Safa Eden Regional Men's League – the fourth division of football in South Africa. While he plays for Celtics now, he previously plied his trade with another Knysna-based regional side, FC United.
In 2021 they were crowned the Nedbank Cup Regional Champions in the Safa Eden region, and the same year they won their second trophy in the form of the Knysna Easter Soccer Tournament under the Knysna Local Football Association.
Nkohla believes that taking part in any sport is a life saver for many young people out there. "Also, participating in sport helps to create more friends and encourage the young boys and girls who are still growing up," he says.
"I believe that in order for one to achieve and go forward with sport one needs to be disciplined, dedicated, devoted and have that desire and commitment."
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