An opportunity to chase after their dreams came true for two promising soccer players from Parklands, Allen Kanyane and Matthew Mbekeni, both aged 14.

The teenagers, both members of SoccaDream Academy Cape Town, based at Bloubergrant High School, as well as in Johannesburg, and in La Spezia in Italy, left for Italy on Sunday, to start a new adventure with the Canaletto Elite Academy, which has a rich history of producing notable stars, including Italy’s most capped player, goalkeeper and world cup winner, Gianluigi Buffon.

The pair will be there till June and they will restart the new season in August.

SoccaDream Academy teammates Matthew Mbekeni, left, and Allen Kanyane, from Parklands, on arrival at Milan International Airport earlier this week, en route to La Spezia where they will be based during their stay in Italy.

Parklands teenagers, Allen Kanyane and Matthew Mbekeni, share a light moment with SoccaDream Academy Cape founder Aris Albetti, ahead of their departure for Italy to join the Canelleto Elite Academy. Picture: Fuad Esack

Youngest of two siblings, Matthew, a central defensive midfielder and a Grade 9 pupil at Tableview High School, joined SoccaDream at just seven years old under the guidance of coach Pere Ariweriyai, while Allen, a Grade 8 pupil at Curro Sandown High School, became part of the academy in 2020, soon after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I was filled with so much joy and I took it as a calling from God that my dreams are coming true,” said Matthew, who has been brushing up on his Italian ahead of his departure. “I know a bit of it but I'm looking forward to learning more once I’m there,” he said.

“This opportunity came when I was still playing in SoccaDream Cape Town and the coach thought that there was more to my playing ability,” he said.

“I’m not the best at speaking Italian but I'm planning to fix that during my stay in Italy,” said teammate Allen, who like Matthew, prefers to let his feet do the talking.

SoccaDream Academy Cape Town founder Aris Albetti, centre, says the opportunity for Matthew Mbekeni, left, and Allen Kanyane to join Canelleto Elite Academy, in Italy, is part of the youngsters transition to a new phase in their journey. Picture: Fuad Esack

Former AmaZulu and Santos FC captain, Ariweriyai, a long-time friend of Socca Dream founder, Aris Albetti, said the youngsters were “well-raised” on and off the pitch.

“In fact,” he said, “all the boys in SoccaDream Cape are well-behaved but as we know, they are still growing so we can only pray that they don’t go off track,” said Ariweriyai who oversees the day-to-day operation in Cape Town.

“Matthew is a special talent, he has the ability to read the game and anticipate before the danger happens, he is very comfortable on the ball,” Ariweriyai said.

“Allen is a smart player, understands the game very quickly when given instructions, he has the ability to communicate from the back and is always willing to learn.

From left, Parklands soccer lads, Allen Kanyane, Matthew Mbekeni and SoccaDream Academy Cape Town founder, Aris Albetti. Picture: Fuad Esack

Albetti, who established the academy in 2017, was in the city at the weekend to see the boys off and to conduct a coaching clinic in Paarl.

He said the academy works with players between the ages of 6 and 19 years old and is dedicated to nurturing young talent on and off the pitch.

He said Allen and Matthew have already been to Italy twice and will join up with three other SoccaDream players who study and play football in Italy.

“Their transition to this new phase in their careers comes on the heels of a significant achievement of winning the prestigious Iber Cup Tournament, in Johannesburg, in December, in the under-14 category,” Albetti said.

“We expect them to improve, get as much experience as possible, and try to mature as individuals on and off the field. There are many scouts in Italy and if all these things are aligned they will have massive opportunities to progress in professional football, he said.

“Currently, SoccaDream has received invitations to two major international tournaments in Europe, providing even more opportunities for the boys to showcase their talents against Champions League clubs and other professional teams,” said Albetti.

For more information about SoccaDream Cape Town, call Pere Ariweriyai on 081 303 7305.

SoccaDream founder Aris Albetti says that if all goes according to plan, more opportunities should come up for Matthew, Allen and other boys from the academy, to showcase their talents against Champions League clubs and other professional teams. Picture: Fuad Esack

#table-view

Arrivederci - Italian adventure awaits Parklands soccer players

Wear white to support St Luke’s fund-raiser

Artist launches book inspired by dream

Home for abandoned pregnant women in need of help