Thanda FC scouts for local talent

Cebo Dlamini tries to get the ball from a skillful Khangelani Ngcobo

Kit man - Afzal Jali, coach - Mlungisi ‘Prof’ Ngubane and Thanda General Manager - Peter Koutroulis welcome players to the Thanda trials

Andile Khewa on the attack

Another awesome save from eSikhawini’s Chris Ntibani

Thanda Royal Zulu FC are searching for local talent to boost their squad, ahead of the much anticipated Mvela League (First Division), which kicks off in August. The club hosted soccer trials for their senior side in three parts of Zululand last week - Mtuba (Monday and Tuesday), Ulundi (Wednesday and Thursday) and Richards Bay (Friday and Saturday). Talented players came from all over Zululand, each with a dream of playing in Zululand’s first premier based team. Thanda’s General Manager, Peter Koutroulis, was impressed with the turnout of over 200 players in Richards Bay on Friday. He said plans are underway to start a supporters’ club here as the team relocated to the region because of Zululanders’ passion for the game. Thanda’s first pre-season friendly will be against Amazulu on Saturday 31 July at 2pm at the Richards Bay Regional Sports Complex. Coach Mlungisi ‘Prof’ Ngubane was impressed with the talent on offer and made his first local signing - goalkeeper Chris Ntibani of eSikhawini. He also selected 10 players to start training with the senior side today (Monday) at 10 am at their new base, the uMhlathuze Stadium. He said the search for local talent would continue.