The Chance Global vs. The Nike Academy

After travelling the world, playing and training at some the most recognized clubs in the world The Chance World tour will lock horns with The Nike Academy this Saturday.

For many of the young talented footballers it has been an incredible experience, one of South Africa's very own Charlie 'Computer' Tsotetsi will most certainly agree. Tsotetsi has progressed through the ranks right from the The Chance regional trials in South Africa to be a star in the Global team, the performances put in will give him a great chance of playing football in Europe. Places in The Nike Academy set up will be up for grabs and Tsotetsi will be hoping to grab it.



Earlier in the week The Cross Trainer Global Team caught up with South Africa's Michael Koopowitz, a young player signed up to The Nike Academy last year. During his time at the academy Koopowitz has developed his overall game and learnt a lot about the English game, he has goals of signing a professional contract soon as well as one day putting on the green and yellow of Bafana Bafana.


The Cross Trainer Q&A With Michael Koopowitz

Xtrainer : As a South African at The Nike Academy are you looking forward to the possibility of having a fellow country-man join you?

Koop : Yeah, I am really looking forward to meeting up with Charlie, will be cool to play against him and hopefully with him in the future.

Xtrainer : A lot of South Africans dream of being in your position, playing in a great academy in England...what advice would you give to them?

Koop : Keep working hard at whatever you do, work on every aspect of your game. Even the little things, take extra time after training hours to fix unwanted habits in your game (or outside the game) whether it be working on nutrition, conditioning or technique. Everything counts in football, the more you do the better you'll be. 

Xtrainer : Do you feel more South Africans can make it in England/Europe?

Koop : Honestly I don't think so at the moment because our development structure is no-where near good enough and the standards some of our country's academies and clubs live up to are not that standards demanded of you in the European game. Having said that don't get me wrong I feel that there are definitely players in South Africa who are talented enough to be great players anywhere in the world, but we need to improve the development in our country. I feel the players need to be guided correctly in coaching from a young age and given a chance.

We certainly enjoyed catching up with Michael Koopowitz and we are looking forward to watching the boys battle it out this Saturday.


If you looking to follow the boys on Twitter you can  hit the follow here :
Charlie Tsotetsi     https://twitter.com/Computer_Tso
Michael Koopowitz     https://twitter.com/MichaelKoop7

Make sure to pass on your best wishes to the boys as they fly the South African flag high, also make to cheer on Charlie Tsotetsi as we are confident he will join Koopowitz in The Nike Academy. From the Xtrainer crew we all wish you guys the best of luck this weekend.

Here is a short film of The Chance story - Enjoy!