How Whispers FC Gives Tsakane Youth a Fighting Chance

Author: Toka Hlongwane
Photos: Tumi the Photographer & Toka Hlongwane

In Tsakane, a township east of Johannesburg, the hum of life is punctuated by the rhythmic sound of soccer balls hitting the dusty earth. Among the many aspiring athletes who lace up their boots on the uneven streets, there’s one man who stands out—not for his ability on the pitch, but for the dreams he fosters off it. His name is Evans, the owner and manager of Whispers FC, a team born from both necessity and vision.

Born in 1989 in Burgersfort, Limpopo, Evans grew up in a home where football wasn’t just a pastime but a way of life. “Since I was young, I dreamed of playing in the big leagues,” he recalls. Yet, opportunities were scarce in the rural town, and though there were no teams for him to join, Evans never stopped practicing. He spent countless hours honing his skills, juggling a ball in his yard, waiting for a chance.

At 15, that chance arrived. His family moved to Tsakane, and it was here that Coach Ambi from Vultures FC in nearby Kwa-Thema spotted Evans during a casual game of keepy-uppy. His talent was undeniable, and soon Evans was known as a prolific central midfielder. He trialed with several clubs—Thembisa Classic, Moroka Swallows, AmaTuks—flirting with the edge of his dream, but each time the door to professional football remained closed.

“I told myself if I didn’t make it by 20, I’d try another career,” Evans says, his voice tempered by the memories of near misses. That turning point came, and he enrolled in an IT program at Rosebank College. Still, he kept playing, but the fire that once fueled his aspirations had dimmed. By the age of 26, his interest in the game waned, but at 30, he returned to playing for Bazingeli FC’s senior and masters team, a local club.

But fate, as it often does in football, had another play in mind. Bazingeli’s owner and coach, Vusi Khumalo, relocated to Mpumalanga and could no longer manage the team’s demands from a different province. it was a young player named Mosawenkosi Masango who approached Evans with a proposition: “Why don’t you manage the team?” We used Bazingeli Rovers FC’s status for the 2022/2023 season while I was learning football administration under the mentorship of Mr. Votile Jack. At the end of the 2022/2023 season, I established Whispers FC, and the team was soon registered in the Brakpan Local League. It was a modest start, but a significant one.

Since then, Evans has shouldered the financial burden of running Whispers FC, often digging into his own pockets or relying on small donations from players’ parents. “It’s been really difficult to manage the team without funds or sponsorships,” he admits. “Every week we have away games, and I need to provide transport for the team. When I don’t have money, sometimes the boys walk long distances to matches, play, and then walk back.”

It’s a harsh reality, yet the players’ commitment remains unwavering. “The commitment these boys have to their dreams is a marvel to watch. They motivate me to support them, regardless of what it costs me,” Evans says, his voice filled with pride. In a country where unemployment is rife and opportunities are scarce, the strain of balancing football with the struggle to provide for one’s family is immense. For Evans, it was becoming too heavy.

In early 2024, Evans contacted several local companies, hoping for any support they could offer. ikeja, a technology company operating in his neighborhood, responded. They donated two new soccer kits and off-field T-shirts. It was a lifeline. “Most boys come from difficult backgrounds and can’t afford soccer boots. That sometimes demotivates them,” Evans explains. But now, with ikeja’s support, the morale within Whispers FC has soared. “The support validates their dreams,” he says. “It shows them that someone out there believes in them.”

Evans understands the fragile nature of those dreams. “Most township kids’ dreams aren’t recognized or supported, and it’s easy for them to fall by the wayside.” His motivation to keep Whispers FC running goes beyond winning games. “I want to give my players a sense of purpose, to keep them off the streets.”

In Tsakane, where opportunities are few and far between, Evans and Whispers FC stand as a beacon of hope. It’s not the big leagues Evans once dreamed of, but it’s a dream all the same—one that echoes through the shouts of young players chasing a ball on a dusty field, believing that anything is possible.