22 November 2017 – The Burger King-sponsored South African Men’s Under-20 National Team, is blessed to have a generation of players who are mentality tough, and hungry to succeed.
Luvuyo Mkatshana is one of those players who has gone through a very rough year, which could have ended his career yet; he chose to grow from the experience rather than to let it break him.
Mkatshana who has made headlines at U-17 level as a prolific striker, missed out on the 2016 COSAFA U-20 Youth Championships, 2017 CAF U-20 African Cup of Nations and 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury and Meniscus tear, on his left knee late last year. A year later he is back in the Amajita set up and looking stronger and hungrier than ever.
Mkatshana admits that it has not been an easy year for him but his mental strength, passion for the game, support from loved ones and faith got him through the injury and gave him the belief that he would come back as a better footballer.
“The first six months were not easy at all, the rehabilitation was painful, stretching and emotionally draining however; I am grateful that my former club teammate Phakamani Mahlambi had gone through the exact same injury before me and I was there to see what he went through, how he toughened up through the rehab and how he managed to prosper after the injury” said Mkatshana.
“Missing out on all of Amajita’s tournaments was difficult, especially knowing that I was one of the key players in the team, but I am grateful to my teammates Frosler, Mbatha, Mukumela, Tshabalala and the whole squad for sharing every moment with me”
The forward has been called back to the Amajita squad as they prepare for the 2017 edition of the COSAFA U-20 Youth Championships, and he is grateful for the call up.
“I have had a great four months playing consistently and I believe I have grown as a player. I am mentally stronger than before, I am more potent in front of goal. My future is still very bright therefore; I am grateful to the technical team for seeing this in me and giving me a chance to continue where I left off a year ago concluded Mkatshana.