Aspiring young coach Arehone Makhari got the shock of his life on Monday following a visit by one of his favourite DStv Premiership teams.
Makhari is an 11-year-old who is coach of a Limpopo based football academy, Rams football Academy based in Tshisaulu in the Vhembe District.
His story was first published by FARPost last week. The amazing journey of the young coach has since gone viral globally with keen interest from other parts of the world.
In an interview with this publication, Makhari mentioned Sekhukhune United as one of the clubs he aspires to be part of.
This prompted the club, led by ambassador Willard Katsande to visit the young coach and his players on Monday morning.
Amongst other things, the club invited Makhari, players from the academy and his parents to watch their DStv Premiership clash against Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.
WHAT KATSANDE HAD TO SAY
“What is interesting about him is the passion, the dedication. I have watched his videos on FARPost, and from an 11-year-old, there is so much courage in him,” said Katsande.
“It tells you that there is something special in the boy. I was talking to one of the members here, and they said they formed this academy last year, and I told them maybe this is a turning point for them to be known.
“We re in the villages and they are disadvantaged in terms of exposure to get the right facilities to develop their careers.
“I am also a village boy and that’s why I spoke to them to encourage them not to lose hope,” added Katsande.
A visibly emotional Makhari describef the moment as life changing that he will cherish for the rest of his life.
“I have never seen things like this in my life. This is the first time. I want to say to the people of Sekhukhune thank you and I will always love Sekhukhune because you changed my life.
“You changed my life. I have never seen this in my life.
“I feel happy because people of Sekhukhune came here and they said I must come to the game and gain my experience and they also gave me a new kit,” said Makhari.
