Cape Town Spurs Football Club and Welcome Football Academy (WFA) have officially entered into a partnership agreement aimed at creating new development pathways for young footballers from the Free State, while strengthening technical exchanges between the two clubs.
Under the agreement, successful WFA candidates will be invited to participate in Cape Town Spurs’ acclaimed Urban Warrior Schools Development project for players from U12 to U18. The first intake is scheduled for June 2026 and will cover the remainder of the youth season. In return, Cape Town Spurs will provide WFA with technical expertise to support the academy’s coaching staff and overall player development structures.
Welcome Football Academy was founded by former Cape Town Spurs (formerly Ajax Cape Town) player Lerato Manzini. Manzini, a professional striker who also played for Bloemfontein Celtic, SuperSport United and Chippa United, launched WFA to give young talent from his hometown good opportunities. The academy currently runs four age groups – U15, U17, U19 and U21 – and combines football training with academic support.
Alexi Efstathiou, CEO of Cape Town Spurs, said: “Our Urban Warrior Soccer School launched in February this year. The demand for the expertise and environment we can offer young aspiring footballers has been phenomenal. Our current players, mainly from the Cape Town area, are adapting well to the demands at academy level and are showing tremendous improvement. Adding players from other provinces will bring the diversity needed to further stimulate demand from those wanting to reach the highest standards.”
Lerato’s project is driven by his passion for youth development, the crucial ingredient for success, so we had no hesitation in expanding our footprint to the Free State.”
Lerato Manzini added: “This partnership means the world to our boys. For too long, talented players from the Free State have not had a clear bridge to professional club structures. Cape Town Spurs have a proven track record of developing young talent, and their willingness to share technical expertise will raise the standard of football in our region.”
I’ve seen firsthand what their environment can do, I’ve played there myself and now our players get that same opportunity. We’re not just looking for the next star. We are building a sustainable model in which hard work, discipline and education go hand in hand with football.”
The first inclusion of WFA players into the Urban Warrior Schools Development project will take place in June 2026.
capetownspurs.co.za
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