The recently announced Nedbank Ke Yona Team search has created astounding excitement across the country, way before entries even open. Within a month since the bank unveiled the innovative addition to the Nedbank Cup tournament; more than five thousand soccer hopeful shave already expressed their intention to participate in this year’s “idols of football”.
It seems some soccer hopefuls are quite eager to secure their spot on the trials list, as the Nedbank Ke Yona team USSD line remainsabuzz although entries only open on 15 March.
“We are encouraged by the number of people showing interest in taking part in the Nedbank Ke Yona Team. This shows that South Africans are continuously looking for opportunities to make things happen for themselves and this means that we are on the right path to enabling them. We urge all participants to make use of the USSD line to enter once registration has been opened on March 15”, says Sydney Mbhele: Divisional Executive for Integrated Marketing at Nedbank.
Prospective footballers wishing to participate can register by dialling *120*539662# and follow the steps to complete registration. Registration will close on20 April.Out of the total number of entries only 550 players per province will be selected through a random draw to participate in the regional trials. Participants are reminded to visit the website www.keyonateam.co.za to familiarize themselves with the entry criteria before registering.
The nationwide search commences on April 20, starting in Port Elizabeth and ending in Kimberly on 08 June. On average 5 players per province will be selected to form a squad of 45. The Nedbank Ke Yona team will thenenter ‘boot camps’ where they will be trained by various soccer legends. It is envisaged that the squad of 45 players gets narrowed down to final group of 18 soccer stars.There will also be a reality TV series that follows the progress of the players as they get put through their paces. The show will be aired on Saturday afternoons at 14:00 on SABC 1 starting on 4 May until 20 July.
“The Nedbank Cup has been a career launch pad for many soccer stars. The Nedbank Ke Yona team will enable us to extend our reach and enable us to connect with even more South Africans, as we continue to empower soccer stars and communities with the resources they need to reach their dreams, so it is quite exciting to see people grabbing this opportunity with both hands.” adds Mr Mbhele.
The final Nedbank Ke Yona team will consist of 18aspiring non-professional soccer players who will go head to head with the winners of the 2013 Nedbank Cup. Drawing inspiration from various talent search TV seriessuchas Idols, MasterChef and X-Factor, Nedbank hopes the Ke Yona team search will become a soccer phenomenon for those aspiring to become South Africa’s next big football stars.
Soccer loves and Nedbank Ke Yona team hopefuls alike are encouraged to visit www.psl.co.za/www.nedbankcup.co.za or see the press for what promises to be the best Nedbank Cup yet. Follow us on Twitter @nedbank or @nedbanksport or like our NedbankSport Facebook page.
Trial Dates are as follows:
Port Elizabeth 20 April 2013: St Georges Cricket Stadium
Durban 28 April 2013:Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
Polokwane 01 May 2013: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Rustenburg 11 May 2013: Olympia Park Stadium
Nelspruit 12 May 2013: Mbombela Stadium
Bloemfontein 19 May: Vodacom Park Stadium
Cape Town 01 June: Philippi Stadium
Johannesburg 02 June: FNB Stadium
Kimberley 08 June: GWK Stadium
