Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder and current club ambassador Tiyani Mabunda has lifted the lid on the inspiration behind the high school football tournament launched by his foundation.
The former Bafana Bafana star, through the Tiyani Mabunda Foundation, recently rolled out the High School Football League across various parts of the country.
This year’s edition features 12 schools, competing across both boys’ and girls’ divisions in his home province of Limpopo.
The tournament kicked off on 29 July 2026 and is set to conclude on 12 September, with the semi-finals and final games scheduled to take place at PEPPS College in Polokwane.
TIYANI MABUNDA GIVES BACK THROUGH SCHOOLS FOOTBALL
Speaking to FARPost, Mabunda revealed that his main objective is to afford young aspiring footballers the kind of structured platforms he was never exposed to growing up.
“These are schools that have shown a real interest in competing within a properly organised football setup,” Mabunda told FARPost. “As someone who was once a professional player, I never got the chance to go through a formal academy system.”
USING SPORT TO TEACH DISCIPLINE AND BALANCE
The 38-year-old emphasised the importance of using sport to instil discipline while keeping academics top of mind.
“I had a lot of joy and success in school sports, playing numerous games in that setup. So, this serves as an opportunity to show school kids that real pathways can start right here at school,” he explained.
“It’s the foundation’s way of giving back to learners while helping them find a balance between sport and education. Sport teaches children discipline, but education must always be prioritised alongside it.
“This initiative ensures schools don’t focus solely on academic work, but also offer active sporting opportunities for overall growth.”
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