Diski Challenge graduate’s rags to riches tale

Poverty can be a powerful motivator, even if it is undoubtedly catastrophic in nature.

But some people can use it as motivation while chasing their dreams of stardom.

In this scenario, we look at sport, football to be specific.

Football has long been a vehicle for many underprivileged people to improve their financial circumstances, never more than in the present due to the lucrative state of the game.

There are remarkable stories embedded in this sporting phenomenon.

Multichoice Diski Challenge graduate Goodman Mosele is a player who can attest to this.

Mosele, born on 18 November 1999, is a South African professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dstv Premiership club Baroka FC.

The 21-year-old was born and raised in Klerksdorp, Khuma location where a set of posts and a crossbar are unavailable, and the nearest bundle of sticks will do. At a loss for a soccer ball, a round fruit or bound rags can suffice.

With a modern venue out of the question, dusty streets become a theatre of dreams.

Talking to us, Mosele revealed that his journey was a bit sombre as he faced a lot of challenges.

“I’m grateful to have reached the professional setup at the age of 18. Considering that I did not play for any academy as there was no academy where I grew up,” said Mosele, detailing his journey.

“Even if they were any, my parents were not going to afford it because I’m not from a family with big financial muscle. Kunzima apho ndiphuma khona (it’s hard where I come from).

Mosele started his career playing for Stilfontein Real Hearts FC, a local club.

In 2016, the club took him to Baroka FC trials where he was selected to join Bakgaga Multichoice Diski Challenge side.

"My first season in the Diski Challenge was the club's first season after winning promotion to the elite league.

"Performance overall was not great but as a bunch of young players we tried our best and some of us were rewarded with first teams’ contracts,” Mosele recalled.

“In 2017-18, I joined the first team and I never looked back.”

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON

In the recent 2019-20 Absa Premiership Awards, Mosele was crowned the Young Player of the Season ahead of Siphesihle Maduna of AmaZulu and Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Maritzburg United.

It was his third season in the top flight and he said winning the accolade came as a surprise as he was in the category with some great lads who also cut their teeth in the Multichoice Diski Challenge.

He stated: “It was a tough category. It came as a surprise. But now that is all in the past. We focus and look forward to the future.”

Mosele remains hopeful that he will do enough to form part of the SA under-23 squad that will represent Mzansi at the Olympics in Japan next year. The player was part of coach David Notoane’s squad that recently returned from Saudi Arabia where they played two friendly matches during the Fifa break.