MultiChoice is making dreams come true, taking Stellenbosch FC’s DStv Diski Challenge champions to the UK for the Premier League Next Generation Tournament, with several youngsters like Jean Topley and Keanan Johannesen traveling abroad for the very first time.
Stellies were crowned DStv Diski Challenge champions after winning the title on the last day of the season in a dramatic fashion beating Lamontville Golden Arrows 4-3, having to come back from 2-0 and 3-2 down.
The Cape Winelands side became the first side to win DDC title twice and also set a new points record after reaching the 69-point mark.
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Winning the title, meant that Stellies will represent South Africa in the Premier League’s Next Gen tournament for a third time. This year’s edition consists of eight teams, including four Premier League sides in Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Everton FC and Tottenham Hotspurs.
Topley, a midfielder who was part of the Stellenbosch side that had things under control the entire season, has thanked MultiChoice for making this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible.
“Yeah, it’s my first time traveling abroad. I was excited now and it’s a privilege, and the flight tyo…! It was long and it was tough, sleeping without sleeping but we are here now,” he told iDiski Times.
“All I wanted in my life was to come to England. I haven’t seen much different; I just can’t wait to get into the pitches, I heard the pitches are great here. I’m looking forward to that.
“I want to say we appreciate MultiChoice who made this possible and all the effort they put in, and I know it’s not easy to do. From my side and Stellies, I would like to say thank you,” he added.
Johannesen, who also traveled abroad for the first time, mentioned that he wasn’t prepared to travel for long hours and all that was on his mind was the excitement of traveling abroad for the first time in his life.
“First of all, it’s a privilege to come to the UK. I wasn’t prepared for the long flights, but I was excited because it’s my first time coming here,” he told this publication.
“And also, I wanted to expose my talent, no difference was found yet definitely in the next few days we will.
“When we got to Dubai, I heard to stay close to my teammates so that I don’t get lost [because] the airport is big, I have never seen a big airport like that.
“Everything is nice here, like you get served everything. I would like to say thank you to MultiChoice, we appreciate it, and we are grateful. To the Stellenbosch management, thank you for the opportunity, my first year in the DDC, and getting this opportunity.
“MultiChoice thank you once again for the one-time life opportunity.”
Sandile Luthuli, MultiChoice CSI Manager for Sports Programmes, who is accompanying our DDC champions on the trip to make sure everything runs smooth, added: “For us as MultiChoice through the Diski Challenge we aim to enrich the lives of the next generation through sports and Stellenbosch FC’s participation in the Premier League’s NextGen having won the Diski Challenge presents a great opportunity for the players to experience football in England and playing against teams such as Aston Villa and Tottenham, among others. And possibly get scouted by teams there and get to live out their dreams of playing football internationally, thereby allowing them to make a meaningful contribution back home, to their families and South African football.”
iDiski Times journalist Sinethemba Makonco will be accompanying the team on their trip and is sure to bring more fantastic stories from their time in the UK.
Story by Sinethemba Makonco (@Makonco_M).
