No duty is urgent than that of returning thanks

Lindani Nkabinde born and bred in Mofolo village, Soweto. He holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management from Richfield Graduate institute and a Diploma in Sport Science from North West University.

"I started playing football at a young age in the street of Mofolo village. Honestly, no one really introduced me to football as it was the only sport that was played in the townships. My first ever position was a center back, I played a few games but there was this particular game we played where I started dribbling everyone and the coach decided that I will play midfield from then onwards. I played as a midfielder up until I relocated to Lenasia south because of academics, then I was coached by Dawood, he was Indian - in that team I was a striker, I was scoring goals left and right - I then moved from that team to Inter-club where I was taken back to midfield because of the range of my passes" he said.

There was a time when Inter-club did not have a goalkeeper and Nkabinde decided to help the team, he played a few games fell in love with the position. Later on he got selected to represent Deep South in a SASOL tournament as a number one Goalkeeper, he played in the tournament and did well. He then went back to his local team trained with them that’s where he got a hip injury and stopped being a keeper went back to midfield.

"I remember playing for Yebo yes and we didn’t have a goalkeeper available I had to help as I had a bit of experience in the goalkeeping department. We were playing at Tembisa against 'ama B E E ' and we lost that game 5-1.I got a shoulder dislocation trying to save a low powerful shot, I knew I had to stop" Nkabinde added.

In 2016 Djemba was selected to form part of the Nedbank Ke Yona team search, according to him that was a great experience and it reminded him that it's anyone's game, he explained that the journey was 'very tough and competitive'. But above all, he got a bit more information about agents and financial literacy as a footballer.

While completing his qualification at North West University, Lindani formed part of the university's football team and during the time he was fortunate enough to be selected to form part of the South Africa USSA team to play in Italy (Napoli) for the world student games. Lindani didn't just go abroad for everything to be all fun and games, while there he had one of his biggest career highlights - he scored for South Africa while they were playing against Argentina. When asked what he learnt during the student games that he brought back and applied in his home games his response was "the weather in Italy is very hot, so I had learn how to manage my energy through out the game and still give my all. The greatest lesson would be teamwork - which allows everyone to shine."

Nkabinde had a great varsity football season especially during the Varsity Football Tournament 2019,he scored a goal that took NWU to the finals of the tournament for the first time and scored a goal that allowed NWU to raise the Varisty Football Tournament Trophy for the first time. Post the tournament, he had teams that wanted to sign him and one for the books has to be when he chose his academics over football.

When asked what led to his decision he went on to say "the main reason I went to NWU was to attain a qualification and so I had to focus on that first then football could follow, I believe that education is very important as it will be what I fall back on or rather what I will use post my football career."

Nkabinde is currently playing for Baroka FC which is in the PSL, he was asked how has his journey been as we've seen him as a substitute for a while, he replied to say: "firstly I'm grateful to form part of this great team. Being on the bench comes with great opportunities where I get to study and see the weakness of the opponents in preparation for when I get a chance to play against them and also to learn from my teammates as to how they handle themselves in the field."

Besides the will to score goals and win matches, what drives him in the field more than anything is the thought that there is young man sitting outside of the field that wants to be like him, he believes that one should try by all means not to disappoint that person and give them something to look up to.

Lindani has played the waiting game with teams that he has completed trails and assessments with when he was younger and to this day he's been kept waiting for that phone call which he had hoped would change his life, when asked how he had not let the disappointment have any impact in his football career, he said "my struggles keep me going - disappointments are there in life but I made a promise to myself that football will change the situation at home and therefore I am always motivated to push beyond boundaries."

He is most thankful to coaches and players who have contributed to his football career to date, to his family that did not lose hope in him when things were down even when he was not helping to change situation they were in.

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. With that being said - I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you so much to the students of North West University together with the SCC for the support they have given me through the good and the bad times, they've always been on my side. All that I have achieved in the time I’ve been in North West is all because of them. Keep on supporting Soccer Institute, greater things are yet to come."

Lindani's note to self reads

"Dear Lindani - I'm proud of you! I’ve seen all the compromises and sacrifices you have made to get here. This is the time and opportunity you've been waiting for all your life! Keep going the extra mile and putting in extra effort, it always pays off. Remember not to get too comfortable as there is no growth in your comfort zone."

Writer & Editor

Mokwena PP