Top Julinho talent off to SA
Football
Oiyah Henry Ferre Akwenye has embarked on a journey to represent Namibia in a football tournament slated for South Africa this coming weekend.The winger, who also occasionally plays as a striker, will participate in the annual Kapstadt Cup, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 8 to 12 October.
At the age of nine, the talented player is already proving to be an inspiration and a talent to watch for the future. He will be accompanied by other players in the ranks of Julinho Athletic’s junior team as they aim to obtain top honours in South Africa.
Participating clubs will compete for the winning title at various stadiums, including Green Point Park. The Kapstadt Cup tournament is an international youth football festival in Cape Town, sanctioned by the South African Football Association (SAFA), CAF (Confederation of African Football), and FIFA.
These football governing bodies provide official recognition and support for the international youth football festival, which is a major platform for developing young talent in South Africa for ages U7–U23.
Stepping foot on foreign soil, Akwenye anticipates a lot of competition and fun at the same time.
“I look forward to meeting other players from other clubs and learning from them. I want to give my best and make it to the finals to ensure a great victory at the end of the tournament. The most important thing that I’ve been taught is to have fun and teamwork,” he said.
Akwenye is inspired by local footballer Deon Hotto and international sensation Lamine Yamal, and he supports Barcelona FC. His all-time favourite football player remains Lionel Messi.
He watched international matches at the recently held Gothia Cup in Sweden and the Dana Cup in Denmark, and has learnt a lot by observation to add to his skills.
“I recently watched various matches in Sweden and Denmark over a two-week period and loved the excitement that comes from the participation of the audience. The support, the applause and the adrenaline rush are what give any football player that encouragement to do their best.”
Akwenye aspires to be a professional footballer when he finishes his studies and has his eye on the prize of being scouted by an international football club.
“I love football, it is my passion and I wish to one day play full-time once I am done with school. I want to make my country proud and allow the world to see that Namibians are just as good as the rest of the world,” he said.
About the cup
With a strong focus on grassroots level, the event is a platform to develop, expose and inspire youth footballers from around the world. Youth teams from South Africa’s biggest professional clubs, such as Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town Spurs FC, participate in the tournament annually.