ON THE BALL
Omphiwe Coko, a grade 8 learner from Curro Meridian Pinehurst in Durbanville, was selected to play football on the world stage as part of the Rainbow Team at the world’s largest youth football tournament – The Gothia Cup. The international competition saw 1700 other young footballers hailing from 80 different countries around the world coming together to play approximately 4500 matches on 110 pitches across Sweden.
“Being selected means the world to me. This was my first time travelling aboard and I am so happy and excited and feel very privileged to be able to represent the Rainbow Team. Playing football brings joy to my heart, and I hope my selections will encourage others not to give up on their dream”.
ABOUT THE RAINBOW TEAM
The players on the Rainbow Team are unique individuals with shedloads of talent, each coming from different backgrounds, cultures and circumstances. Through a collaborative network, the goal of the team is to help raise and empower the next generation of South Africans by improving soccer skills, access to resources and opportunities. Omphiwe was part of the Rainbow Girls – a team of under 16s, and in order to bring the vision for this team to life the Rainbow Team invested in over two years of local girls’ clinics, hikes, training sessions, give away sessions of soccer items, games, tournaments, and talks by motivational sports people and other interesting people.
KICKING OFF
Despite challenging circumstances, Coko has loved football since when she was little and the lack of girls soccer teams in Khayelitsha didn’t stop her from playing. She began by joining a group of local boys playing soccer in the streets when she was five before enlisting in her first proper soccer club, the Morning Stars at the age of nine, again the only girl.
From here, she joined the girls’ RV United Team for the next three years under the guidance of Coach Vuyo Kayem who quickly became her biggest fan. He encouraged Coko to apply for the Ruta Sechaba Foundation programme, which provides school scholarships and bursaries to underprivileged learners at Curro and Curro-managed schools. Thanks to her sporting talents, Coko was able to join Meridian Pinehurst at the start of this year.
Her big breakthrough came when RV United played a match against the Rainbow Team. The Rainbow Team coaches recognised her talent and offered her the opportunity of a lifetime; to join the team competing in the Gothia Cup. Omphiwe currently spends most days at practices between the two teams and commutes from Khayelitsha to Clifton or Tamboerskloof early Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons for her practice sessions with the Rainbow team coaches.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AS PART OF THE RAINBOW TEAM LIKE?
An experience of a lifetime! I never thought that at 14 years I would go abroad to play football.
WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF COMPETING IN THE GOTHIA CUP?
The radio and newspaper interviews I had, as well as the goal I scored during the second match of the tournament.
WHAT IS IT THAT YOU LOVE ABOUT FOOTBALL?
Football makes me happy, I forget everything else when I’m on the field. It is my life.
ARE THERE ANY MENTORS THAT HAVE HELPED YOU ALONG YOUR FOOTBALL JOURNEY?
My Coach Mr. Vuyo Kayi is my mentor. He has done a lot for me and even though he is strict, he has the best interest at heart. Also my mom, Miss Nandi Coko – her support and how she manages my soccer career have been really amazing.
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
If not overseas, my dream is to wear South African colours and play for Sundowns.
