Keen footballer sets his sights on becoming an international star
SOS Children's Village Mthatha has a soccer star in its midst. Odwa, who started playing soccer in 2000, has hopes of becoming an Orlando Pirates (a local soccer team) player. At the moment, Odwa plays for the Temba Royals Team, who are tops in the Castle League of Mthatha.
"I like soccer because it is a sport with many opportunities. It teaches teamwork and respect for those on the field," said Odwa. Football has taken this talented player around South Africa (Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Johannesburg), and he hopes to soon kick a ball internationally and represent his country.
Odwa plays right-back and centre mid-field and has won medals for individual and team performance. He attributes his success to training hard, praying, exercising, eating healthy food and playing well. He practices his skills on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and plays games on Saturday and Sunday. "We play against many teams in the Castle League and beat most of them, as the Temba Royals are first in the league," he grinned happily.
Keeping his football goals in perspective, Odwa does well at his local high school and enjoys subjects such as Maths and History. He hopes to become a policeman and "catch robbers" when he has finished school. When "chilling", Odwa reads up on his favourite players Sibusiso Zuma, the captain of the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, and David Beckham. He believes England will win the 2006 World Cup because it has all the quality players. For the 2010 World Cup in South Africa Odwa says, "I wish I will be there to play or watch and experience all the skills of the players."