Ex-player holds on to dream

Former Orlando Pirates soccer player Craig Hepburn continues to face legal battles over his fierce determination to keep his Cape Town soccer club for underprivileged children and the community open.

In 2012, Hepburn's African Brothers Football Academy took a knock when he was arrested for breaking zoning laws by operating a business out of the Gardens Commercial High School.

To date, he said he had ploughed R4.5-million into the initiative and manages the centre by charging fees only to people who can pay.

Hepburn said last week that the case against him was thrown out of court and he was awaiting a decision from the Western Cape education department regarding the property's re-zoning so he can continue operating.

But he is facing yet another battle, this time from a handful of residents who have lodged a civil case to close the facility, citing noise pollution.

"We have created an environment that is friendly. People walk around the field because it's safe. It's the doomsayers who are killing it," he said.

Hepburn said he contacted experts to install sound-deflecting barriers but the civil case remained on the table.

Testimonials from about 800 supporters sing praises for the academy, which is housed in an area previously a haven for drug-dealers and vagrants.

For Deno Alfredo, a coach at the academy, closure means he will be back on the streets.

The 24-year-old Mozambican was one of eight homeless people recruited and trained by Hepburn.

"I was on the street, under a bridge ... I met coach Craig because he used to bring us food and said some time you come to play soccer," Alfredo said.

He accepted and helped clean up the then derelict and rubble-strewn area.

"I feel bad because somebody wants our lives to be bad, to be there again on the street ... They have a nice house ... how can they be jealous of us?" he asked.

Hepburn said because of the ongoing legal battles, which had cost him about R400000, added to ongoing maintenance costs, he was forced to let four of his eight employees go.

According to Hepburn, more than 200 children received free coaching every day, with 3000 soccer players making use of the facility.