Keino Davids joined Young Bafana in January 2016 as a 16 year old boy with the aspirations of becoming a professional soccer player. However, he did not expect the path to the top to be so strenuous and tough.
Fortunately at Young Bafana all children are made aware of the fact that soccer alone is not a long term solution, and that education is a more reliable way to create a successful future. Hence the willingness and hard work both staff and players put into the educational programmes offered at the academy.
After successfully winning the league and cup double in 2016, Keino became even more intrigued by the idea of turning his childhood dream to profession. His coaches continued to preach the importance of education to him and so did his mother. At this stage Keino did not know just how important his schooling would be for his future. Having successfully passed Grade 11 and improving his marks even further in Gr 12 he was turning into a holistic scholar who excels both on the field of play and at school.
It was in 2017 that the idea of combining soccer with education would be seriously considered as the next step for Keino. Together with Athletes USA Young Bafana created an online portfolio and video for USA scholarship opportunities.
His application was successful and he is currently enrolled at Sheridan College in Wyoming, USA on a soccer scholarship.
Keino is part of the first group of graduates to come through the Young Bafana development system, imagine what we can achieve in future!
Meet Themba Baka. A boy from the Lwandle township who joined Young Bafana 8 years ago as a little boy – not old enough to play and struggling with schoolwork. Today he is a promising young athlete and student enjoying success on and off the football pitch thanks to the help of Young Bafana.
Discover how Young Bafana Soccer Academy, nestled in South Africa, is passionately embracing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to drive sustainability and equality. By focusing primarily on the first five SDGs—ranging from eradicating poverty and hunger to promoting gender equality and quality education—Young Bafana empowers young athletes while actively engaging with their community.
Are you passionate about sports and soccer with a heart for community upliftment? Then this internship is for you. Young Bafana is in need of an event marketing intern from December 2023 to March 2024. The internship will take place at Young Bafana in Strand, South Africa. Apply now for the experience of a lifetime at one of South Africa’s best soccer academies.
Young Bafana is proud to send 2 of our most promising players, Liqhawe and Donay, to our partner club in France for the opportunity of a lifetime. Liqhawe and Donay will be representing Young Bafana in Europe whilst training with Clermont Foot 63 for a couple of weeks.
On the 29. April, we as Young Bafana Soccer Academy wrote History. We made a sensational impact in their inaugural season by clinching the ABC Motsepe League of Western Cape title. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, as well as the strategic guidance provided by their exceptional coach, Ashraf Calvert.
Young Bafana has entered into a partnership with Core sports capital (CSC), a Swiss based company, which owns and manages soccer clubs with a high growth potential with the aim of delivering long-term sporting and economic success. This partnership will create a pathway to Europe for young South African players.
