Lesley Manyathela was a resident of Musina and one of the best strikers this country has ever produced. About 17 years after Manyathela died in a car accident, Musina is likely to produce another prolific striker, Livhuwani "Zulu" Netshikulwe, in the foreseeable future. Born in Musina 17 years ago, Netshikulwe is a player whose talent is admired by many.
He is an all-rounder who can play as centre back, defensive midfielder and full striker. He started playing football at a tender age when he was still a primary school learner at the Niyamaya Christian School in Musina. Netshikulwe continues to be a shining star at Polokwane Northern Academy, where he is a Grade 12 learner.
When his school represented the province in the Coca Cola School Tournament in Bloemfontein four years ago, little did Netshikulwe know that he would impress the national U/17 team's coach at the time, Mr Molefi Ntseki. He travelled to Swaziland and Lesotho with the national U/17 team, where he continued to impress the technical team.
Netshikulwe won the Player of the Tournament award in the Coca Cola School Tournament in 2017. The diminutive player will never forget the year 2019. He did his school proud when he scooped up numerous awards, including sportsman of the year, top goal scorer, best defender, player of the year and the players' player of the year.
A scout from the University of Pretoria saw talent in Netshikulwe during the Coca Cola School Tournament last year. He was part of the University of Pretoria U/17 soccer team that went to Sweden last year. Zulu said that his role model was Thembinkosi Lorch, the Orlando Pirates' midfielder. His dream is to play at international level in three years' time.