Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato, MEC’s Anroux Marais and Sharna Fernandez officially bid farewell to the team representing South Africa at the 2019 Homeless Street Soccer World Cup.

The 17th edition of the Homeless World Cup will take place at Buke Park, Cardiff in the United Kingdom from 27 July – 3 August 2019.

The annual tournament brings together street football programmes from around the world, affording each player the opportunity to represent their respective nation with passion and pride.

In addition to inspiring vulnerable youth to make positive changes in their lives, the Homeless World Cup annual tournament aims to challenge the public perceptions of homelessness and its surrounding issues.

The team of 8 players was selected through community-based street soccer initiatives across the country. Representing South Africa at theWorld Cup will be: Sibusiso Joseph Dyantyi,  Tankiso Vincent Lesia, Wade Samuels from Parkwood, Western Cape, Sinesipho Dayimani, Katleho Moses Molieana from Gugulethu, Western Cape, Lucky Tyokwana from New Crossroads, Western Cape, Sbonelo Ngubane, Yandisa Nomadluka.

The programme incorporates life skill training, HIV/AIDS awareness, as well as training camps in preparation for the Homeless Street Soccer World Cup.

On the team’s return, they will participate in positive youth development initiatives at Oasis and various other partnering NGOs which empowers youth and adults to become self-sustainable members of their communities.

The players have the opportunity to get involved within their own communities and share their individual experiences as well as the impact this opportunity had and will have in their lives going forward.