‘It is possible whether you come from the villages or not,’ says exciting attacker who emerged from Dannhauser in rural KZN

From the rural village of Dannhauser in northern KwaZulu-Natal to Bafana Bafana, Siyanda Ndlovu’s rise has been rapid and serves as inspiration to amateur footballers.

When the young man known as ‘Skhwishi’ joined star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns at the beginning of the season, there were genuine fears he might not get enough opportunities at Chloorkop. Competition is tight on the right side of the attack at the Brazilians from players like Thapelo Morena, Antonio van Wyk and Kutlwano Letlhaku.

The situation is the same in central midfield, where Ndlovu can also operate, from Nuno Santos, Arthur Sales, Cassius Mailula, Sphelele Mkhulise, Thabo Cele and Tsiki Ntsabeleng.

Ndlovu, 23, was produced by amateur football, where he turned out for Happy Crown FC in the fourth-tier SAB League and Newcastle All Stars in the third-tier Motsepe League. He caught the eye of renowned talent-scouting Durban team Lamontville Golden Arrows, who recruited him to their DStv Diski Challenge side in 2022. He continued to grow there until he made his senior Premier Soccer League debut in 2023.

Former Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi converted Ndlovu from winger to playmaker and he excelled, but he was moved back to the side by Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.

Contrary to what people feared, Ndlovu has established himself as one of the key players for Sundowns and his performances caught the attention of Pitso Mosimane as he returned for his second stint as Bafana coach from early September.

Over the past few weeks, Ndlovu ,23, earned two man-of-the-match awards for Sundowns and a call-up to the Bafana final squad named on Thursday for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) back-to-back qualifiers against Kenya is the cherry on top.

His inclusion was unusual as the exciting attacker was not in Mosimane’s preliminary squad named last month but forced his way into the final combination with strong performances in Downs’ wins against Marumo Gallants, Durban City and Arrows.

The unfortunate thing for Ndlovu is he is not going to play more Champions League football this season because the Brazilians were eliminated by Angolan side Wiliete SC in the second preliminary round.

As Bafana started preparations for the Afcon qualifier against Benni McCarthy’s Kenya at Orlando Stadium on Friday (6pm), Ndlovu said the past few weeks have been a blast.

“I am happy for the opportunities and I did not expect things to happen so quickly,” he said. “I want to thank coach [Mosimame] because he saw my performances and he has given me a chance to show what I can do.”

There are many players at amateur level with dreams of playing professional football. Ndlovu said they must keep on working because you will never know who is watching and anything is possible.

“How I want to encourage them is [to say], ‘When your time has arrived, grab the opportunity with both hands.’ You must train in the right way and perform on the field because you don’t know who is watching.

“They must stay focused, perform every game and love what they do. People are always watching and there would be chances for you. It is possible whether you come from the villages or not.”

Just like at Sundowns, competition is fierce at the national team where he is competing for a place with Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Tashreeq Matthews and Puso Dithejane.

“I am happy [to be with the national team because if you are a footballer], your dream is to play for the national team. I would like to thank the coach for giving me this chance. I have worked very hard to be where I am.”

Ndlovu was asked about his early memories of Bafana and the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Siphiwe Tshabalala, scorer of that famous goal in South Africa’s opening draw against Mexico, came to mind for the Downs star.

“Some of my earlier memories of Bafana were during 2010 because of the team of players like Tshabalala. I remember because he used to play the way I like to play which is taking people on.”

Since signing for Sundowns in July, Ndlovu has already won two trophies in the Fifa Intercontinental Cup and MTN8. He took valuable lessons from those high-pressure clashes.

“Those games were important for me and the club. They prepared me to be ready for this Bafana chance and I am looking forward to the matches against Kenya.”