My name is Collen Mathabathe(Costa) I am 25 I am originally from Matlala Lehwelere. I moved to Ntwane in the year 2008. I played professional soccer for several teams.

“When Costa was 15 years old he was a soccer star. He played all the positions on the field. Moving to Ntwane began his journey into the world of professional football at age of 11.

I started playing soccer when I was in primary. In grade 5 there was a teacher called Mr Dube who used to go to our class and ask for players but only a few would come forward. I knew I loved soccer, one day I joined his team and made it as a goalkeeper. My love for soccer grew from there.

We would play through the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) who arranged our matches. This continued until grade 7 (2010)

In may I made it into the cluster soccer team then September same year we have crowned champions in Danone and Milo Soccer Tournament up to Provincial Level in Limpopo for U/13.

I began playing club soccer in high school and Unfortunately I couldn’t find a balance between my school work and training. There have been many times when I was absent and I wouldn’t particularly panic because I knew I had a brother who I could get the notes, but my school work still suffered. I had now made up my mind to focus on school only.

Football is in my blood. After my matric in 2017, I had no idea what to do with myself. So in a bid of my act together, I decided to take a gap year. I had also just moved to Polokwane so I was adjusting to the environment as well.

There was a soccer club in the township, Seshego location. They would see us playing on the road but only ask me to come play with them. They said I have potential so I started putting in more hard work.

One of my best soccer coaches of all time would probably be coach Kotelo from Ntwane. He was always trying to push myself harder, and no matter the pain, it paid off. And I think that’s what life is all about. When you push through hard it pays off.

I had no soccer boots by that time but I didn’t let that discourage me. My mom wasn’t employed. Sometimes I’ve had to play with my sneakers or just sit on the bench and watch others play.

One day, I was invited to stay at their clubhouse because they wanted me to be able to practice without having to travel long distances. It felt good. I would wake up before my alarm clock as I was eager to get fit. This was the opportunity that would get me to new levels

I remember my first day at the club. I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know anyone and it seemed like everyone had a clique, which didn’t help at all. However, in my first training, I chatted with one of the players and that was the very first player that I gravitated forward on my first day and we are still friends up to this day.

I think it’s super important to put yourself out there to make new friends. I’m not saying to do anything completely out of your comfort zone, but you need to talk to different people and see whether you guys may have some things in common. I mean I was super shy, but I knew that I needed friends in order to get through the next few years. Everything went well in the beginning.

Sadly, in 2019 the club started losing players and it was sold. We ended up with no team at all. It was very painful. I knew that my dream was dead.

After some time, I played for a few months in semi-professionals clubs and got injured a few times. Each time I was playing I ended up leaving the clubs because I would feel despondent and sad. It was the strangest thing, soccer brought out the best and worse in me.

I didn’t make it far, but after so many years in football, I’m proud to say I dragged myself into it and i have no regrets. I know you are tired there, but do not let go of what you have started. Keep moving, we all walk different paths to achieve the same goal.