Coach Nontokozo Phiri Uses Football to Transform Young Lives

Loraine Phiri

In Tshabalala, the sound of children’s laughter and football drills fills the afternoon air, led by a young coach determined to keep them off the streets.

Nontokozo Annie Phiri, 26, volunteers as a coach for the Tshabalala Sizinda Old School, where she trains nearly 100 children across five teams. Working with boys under 10 and 12, as well as girls of all ages, she uses football not just to develop talent, but to reshape futures.

Tshabalala-Sizinda Old School, the initiative she serves under is a community-driven effort made up of residents who grew up in Tshabalala and Sizinda. It focuses on youth development, using sport and community programmes to steer young people away from drug and substance abuse, while creating opportunities for growth. Activities are held at the Indlovu Youth Centre, where young people gather for structured training and mentorship.

For Phiri, coaching goes far beyond teaching football—it is about creating a safe space. “My journey into football started from a genuine love for the game,” she said. “But what really pushed me into coaching was what I was seeing in my community. There are so many young people on the streets… I wanted to create a safe space where they could channel their energy into something positive.”

Her sessions provide structure where discipline, teamwork, and hope replace idleness and risk.Her weeks are relentless. Training stretches across age groups, blending technical coaching with mentorship.

Yet for Phiri, the reward is simple. “Every hour I spend with them is an hour they are not on the streets or exposed to drugs. That alone makes everything worth it,” she said.

Her impact has not gone unnoticed. At the 2025 Tshabalala Sizinda Sports Gala, she was named Coach of the Tournament. An accolade she views as belonging to the entire community.

“It was not just a personal achievement,” she said. “It showed that the effort, consistency, and belief in these young players is paying off.”

For the children she coaches, football is transformative. Beyond fitness and skill, it shapes character. One parent shared that her son’s behaviour had completely changed becoming more respectful, disciplined, and focused. “For me, that’s the real impact,” Phiri said. “Not just building players, but helping shape better individuals.”

Operating in a male-dominated sport has its challenges. “You sometimes have to work twice as hard to prove yourself,” she admits. “I have overcome that by letting my work speak for me.”

This Women’s Month, under the theme “Give to Gain,” Phiri’s story resonates. By volunteering her time and energy to young lives, she is helping build a stronger, healthier community. “I give my time to keep these kids engaged and off the streets,” she said. “In return, I gain the satisfaction of seeing them grow into better individuals.”

Her vision extends beyond the pitch. While teaching passing and positioning, her real lessons focus on life skills—confidence, respect, focus, and teamwork.

“Football is just the tool,” she said. “The real goal is to prepare them for life.”Yet sustaining and growing the initiative remains a challenge. With limited equipment and resources, Phiri is calling on the wider community to step in and support the Tshabalala Sizinda Old School initiative.

“Supporting this work means investing in young people,” she said. “It means giving them a better future.”

In a community often defined by its challenges, Phiri’s work offers a different narrative one of hope, discipline, and opportunity. As she continues to give, the gains are being felt far beyond the football field.