Not many footballers in the country can boast about making their professional debut against Kaizer Chiefs, let alone at the age of 20. But Cape Town City’s new midfielder, Luyolo Slatsha, did just that when he was thrown in at the deep end during the last game of last season. From there, the club’s development product has grown in leaps and bounds as he is trying to cement his place at the Citizen’s starting line-up. In this emotional interview, with Soccer Laduma’s Masebe Qina, Slatsha opens up about losing a parent who was a huge supporter and a pillar of strength to him and how he managed to overcome the loss. The 21-year-old reveals what he is doing to help aspiring footballers in his community to also realise their dreams of making it to professional football.
Masebe Qina: Luyolo, how has life been for you as a Cape Town City first team player?
Luyolo Slatsha: In the beginning it was like jumping onto a moving treadmill. Everything was happening quickly, and the tempo was high, and it took a lot of adjusting. You know, there are certain spaces that you must pick up and things like that and it took a lot of maturity. So, I would say, it is stuff that needs you to have a bit of bravery to take it on. It’s like driving a hot iron, you drive it while it is hot and you know it is, but you keep on holding.
