Ajax midfielder dribbled his way out of gangland

28 May 2015 - 02:04 By Tshepang Mailwane

There's a scar above Bantu Mzwakali's left eye which he got when a gangster hit him with a brick in Gugulethu. The Ajax Cape Town midfielder knew during his teenage years that he was not going to get involved in gangsterism because he wanted to focus on football and live a better life."My man, it's tough out there," he says. "There is too much gangsterism. I was hit by a brick thrown by another crew because they thought I was a gangster. My friends were gangsters but I was not part of their crew."It's up to you to decide what you want in life. I told myself I want to become a star one day. The coaches of Ajax took me out of the township and I have taken my football seriously since then."Mzwakali joined the Urban Warriors when he was 15 and now that he is in the first team, the 21-year-old hopes to emulate former Ajax star Thulani Serero and play in Europe."I went with Ajax for a tournament in Europe. It was my first time going to Europe and I did not do well."When we came back they gave me a second chance and I did well. After a few games I become captain of the under-15s."I moved up to the under-17s until I got to the first team. I want to play in Europe and follow in the footsteps of Serero. First I have to do well in the PSL."Mzwakali finished the season with 22 league appearances, one goal and five assists."It's been a good season for me," he says...

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