{"id":257828,"date":"2020-05-18T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-18T04:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/257828\/from-modderfontein-to-the-world-dino-ndlovu\/"},"modified":"2020-05-17T10:24:45","modified_gmt":"2020-05-17T08:24:45","slug":"from-modderfontein-to-the-world-dino-ndlovu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2020\/05\/18\/from-modderfontein-to-the-world-dino-ndlovu\/","title":{"rendered":"International footballer Dino Ndlovu inspires preserverance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI slept in a toilet at Park Station in Johannesburg so I could make it to soccer training at Modderfontein Sports Complex.\u201d<\/p>\n

These were the hard-hitting words of Dino Ndlovu (30), a South African international soccer player, during his interview with Edenvale athlete Sipho Marima.<\/p>

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Dino detailed the beginning of his soccer career which kick-started on Modderfontein sports fields.<\/p>\n

The striker plays for Zhejiang Greentown in China.<\/p>

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Dino Ndlovu training at Zhejiang Greentown in the China. Photo: Facebook Dino Ndlovu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He is currently training with his team since China has lifted its lockdown.<\/p>\n

The North West born athlete has played for Qarabag Agdam, Sundowns, Black Aces, Super United United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Bloemfontein Celtics and other international and national teams in his career.<\/p>\n

Dino also played for Bafana Bafana where he made his debut in 2012.<\/p>\n

One of his highlights was scoring in SA\u2019s biggest victory in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier of 6-0 against Seychelles.<\/p>\n

His career started at Platinum Stars Academy in 2009 at the age of 19.<\/p>\n

As an underprivileged young man from Klerksdorp, he made the cut to attend trials for Platinum Stars.<\/p>\n

During that time he was supported by a single mother with not very much to spare for extra expenses.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B9UOsUbB0BH\/<\/p>\n

Dino said he didn\u2019t have enough money for travel to attend training in Modderfontein.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would wake up at around 6am to hike to Johannesburg CBD and then I would take a taxi from Joburg to Modderfontein for training,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said the week-long training for selection was a challenging, but also the most rewarding venture for the soccer player.<\/p>\n

He would arrive late for trials every day although he woke up very early in the mornings because of the travelling distance.<\/p>\n

On the last day of training he said he had no money to return to Modderfontein.<\/p>\n

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Dino Ndlovu playing a match for Zhejiang Greentown. Photo: Facebook Dino Ndlovu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMy last resort was to find somewhere to sleep in Park Station.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I was either going to sleep standing up or try and squeeze myself between the corridors of the station so I could go to my last training session,\u201d said Dino.<\/p>\n

Although his mom was worried, the determined soccer player would not be stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not have a bank account or any way for her to send me money.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sent her a message to let her know I was safe and she believed it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Dino said he slept in a toilet that night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was woken up by a street vendor who was cleaning her corner where she sold her fruits,” he said.<\/p>\n

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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

SA soccer legends back health workers<\/a><\/p>\n

Local soccer star adds his voice to Covid-19<\/a><\/p>\n

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The young Dino told the woman about his circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will never forget when she gave me a banana, apple, pear and R20.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got on a taxi to Modderfontein that morning,\u201d Dino said.<\/p>\n

Dino was chosen for the team on the last day of training.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was so happy. Coach Rhulani Mokwena gave me R200 to go back home that day and that\u2019s how my career started,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Sipho and Dino spoke more about the soccer player\u2019s highlights in his career.<\/p>\n

According to Sipho, Dino scored the goal that took Qarabag Agdam to the UEFA Champions League.<\/p>\n

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Dino Ndlovu on the field. Photo: Facebook Dino Ndlovu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dino explained how amazing it was to play in front of 60 0000 people in the match against Kopenhagen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had planned to introduce Qarabag Agdam to the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first half was the worst game we have ever played as a team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

According to Dino, their team conceded a goal one minute before half-time.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur coach said the opposition was going to come out guns blazing and they would only be vulnerable once or twice at the back.<\/p>\n

\u201cSix minutes after the start of the second half, the striker scored,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Dino urged youngsters to work hard and be themselves.<\/p>\n

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Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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