Free State’s Hidden Talent Is About to Get a Cape Town Makeover

Cape Town Spurs Football Club and Welkom Football Academy (WFA) have officially entered into a cooperation agreement aimed at creating new development pathways for young footballers from the Free State, while strengthening technical exchange between the two clubs.

Under the agreement, successful WFA candidates will be invited to join Cape Town Spurs’ acclaimed Urban Warrior Schools Development project for players aged U12 to U18. The first intake is scheduled for June 2026, covering the remainder of the youth season. In return, Cape Town Spurs will provide WFA with technical expertise, supporting the academy’s coaching staff and overall player development structures.

Welkom Football Academy was founded by former Cape Town Spurs (formerly Ajax Cape Town) player Lerato Manzini. A professional forward who also played for Bloemfontein Celtic, SuperSport United, and Chippa United, Manzini launched WFA to give young talent from his hometown proper opportunities. The academy currently runs four age groups – U15, U17, U19, and U21 – and combines football training with academic support.

Cape Town Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou said: “Our Urban Warrior Soccer School kicked off in February this year. Demand has been phenomenal for the expertise and environment we can offer young aspiring footballers. Our current players, mainly from the Cape Town area, are adjusting well to academy-level demands and showing immense improvement. Adding players from other provinces will bring the diversity needed to further drive demand from those wanting to reach the highest standard.

Lerato’s project is driven by his passion for youth development , the critical ingredient for success, so we were not hesitant to extend our footprint to the Free State.”

Lerato Manzini added: “This cooperation means everything to our boys. For too long, talented players from the Free State have lacked a clear bridge to professional club structures. Cape Town Spurs have a proven record of developing young talent, and their willingness to share technical expertise will raise the standard of football in our region.

I’ve seen first hand what their environment can do , I played there myself and now our players will get that same chance. We are not just looking for the next star. We are building a sustainable model where hard work, discipline, and education go hand in hand with football.”

The first intake of WFA players into the Urban Warrior Schools Development project will take place in June 2026.