Lungelo grew up with his granny, playing soccer. His father was never present in his life. He started playing soccer at a young age, and he was good. He knew that his father had played soccer, so maybe that’s where he got his skills from, but that was the only thing he got from his father.
“I want to be a coach because I never had someone,” Lungelo said.
In 2020, Lungelo decided to become a coach after an injury ended his soccer career. He had studied sports management and seen the struggles that children endure in his community. He wanted to change the young boys, get them– and himself– away from the drugs and crime that they faced every day.
“It was a chance for me to change their lives, but it was also a chance to change my life,” Lungelo said.
With the help of another man in Lungelo’s township, Thando, Lungelo was connected to George Mwaura and Isiseko Imara. That’s when everything changed for Lungelo. Together, Thando and Lungelo started working to create bible studies for the young boys. Thando would invite the team over to his house, where they would eat and talk about God.
“At first, my program was all about winning soccer games,” Lungelo said. “But now it’s about supporting them, I’m their social father.”
Lungelo discovered that he wanted to win lives more than win games on the soccer field. And he’s learning as he coaches his boys. He wants them to feel like they can talk to him. When he first started the team, he described his players as very “naughty.” They got into trouble, and they were disrespectful; they didn’t know how to be men.
“If I didn’t have a big heart, I would have abandoned them,” Lungelo said.
Now, he’s teaching his players how to be respectful young men in their community. To listen and understand each other. However, it’s not always easy; it comes with challenges.
One of the biggest challenges for Lungelo is dealing with the pressure from the parents. He knows that his players respect him, and most of the parents respect him as well, but someone is always watching. Every decision he makes in his life sets an example for his players. He needs to make sure that what he is doing represents the model he wants his boys to follow.
Lungelo also dealt with a lot of judgment when starting as a coach. There were a lot of good soccer players in his community who were just as equipped to be a coach, so what made him special? Some of the parents even accused Lungelo of using their kids just to get money.
“A lot of people question me, ‘what makes him good enough?”’ Lungelo said.
Despite the pressure and doubts, Lungelo has endured, and it’s all because of the players who have been with him since day one. Their loyalty and patience with him are what kept him going. He’s thankful for the partnership with Isiseko Imara, saying their first boys2Men camp made a real impact on his players.
“It’s something they won’t ever forget,” Lungelo said.
Solantis, 24, plays center back on the team. He was introduced to the team at the beginning of 2024 through a neighbor. Last year, during a soccer match, he broke his leg.
“It was the saddest day for me as a coach,” Lungelo said.
Although it was a hard time, Solantis was grateful for his team and his coach. They visited him at the hospital, checking in on him and showing him they were always there. As he recovers, they continue to support him, awaiting the time when he will come back ready to play.
“I make my team strong, [but they] make me strong,” Solantis said.
Lungelo is proud of how far the team has come since the beginning. They won their first tournament at the beginning of July, and even though it’s not about winning, having money for new kits is always nice. He’s learning that whether they win together or lose together, they are united; that’s why he coaches.
“This team, we are one big family,” Lungelo said.