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Blind Soccer League Takes South Africa by Storm

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Mlungisi Msibi, fondly referred to as "Coach Jack", founded the country's first blind soccer league to train visually impaired soccer players and grow the sport in the country. The league, which gathers on the last Saturday of every month at the Paterson Park Multipurpose Centre in Johannesburg, comprises four teams and has been gaining popularity across Gauteng and beyond. Msibi's dream is to one day have a blind soccer team represent South Africa at the Paralympics, and he is working tirelessly to achieve this goal.

Key Takeaways:

  • The blind soccer league, founded by Mlungisi Msibi, is the country's first of its kind and gathers on the last Saturday of every month at the Paterson Park Multipurpose Centre in Johannesburg.
  • The league comprises four teams: Corinthians Africa, Protea Tigers, Future Stars, and Silver Stars, with players coming from all over Gauteng.
  • The game is played with five people per team, four of whom are visually impaired, but the goalkeeper is sighted. Players wear "black out" goggles to level the playing field, and spectators must remain silent due to the unique rules.
  • Edson Makambi, captain of Future Stars, hopes to grow the sport in the country and believes that blind people can contribute significantly to the economy.
  • The league faces challenges, including a lack of resources, but Msibi is hopeful that this is the start of something big, with the aim of changing the mindset and perception of what blind people can do.
  • Msibi emphasizes training players according to international standards and is scouting for the best players to represent South Africa at the Blind Football African Championship in Uganda this October.

Statistics:

  • The league comprises four teams.
  • Players come from all over Gauteng, with requests from blind associations across the country to establish blind football in their areas.
  • The league faces a shortfall of "black out" goggles and proper soccer boots and protective equipment.
  • The league's goal is to one day have a blind soccer team represent South Africa at the Paralympics.

Sources:

  • GroundUp. "Blind Soccer League Takes South Africa by Storm." Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

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