Mpumalanga School of Excellence - MSE

In Spanish, they say: “Hasta la vista.” We are saying goodbye.

MSE is no more after existence since 2019. We had our last training session yesterday.

We regret that we could not produce enough players to the elite, professional level. That was our only key performance area and purpose of existence. Our main goal was not to win trophies. It was to see the boys progressing to professional level and continue with their studies.

We could have assisted 20 plus boys in the six years we’ve been operating to professional level, but due to circumstances beyond our control, only seven made it. That was our biggest failure. One boy has finished a university degree because of a soccer scholarship we assisted him to get. We were also big on education hence our hashtag . Forek Institute of Technology came on board and opened its arms to give bursaries to some of our boys. We’re very grateful.

Our next failure was not being able to achieve our goal of connecting the boys to the USA sports scholarship programme. It was work in progress, but we moved at snail’s pace. We are also quiting having not achieved our goal to establish partnerships in Europe and the Middle East. It was work in progress, delayed by our immediate fight for survival that glared at us.

Due to the absence or dearth of sponsorships in grassroots football, academies must be run from somebody’s pocket. MSE was run from an individual’s pocket. Many parents have an illusion that there are millions of rands up for grab by development clubs and academies. That’s not true. They are also unwilling, no matter how well-off they are, to pay for their own children.

Municipalities charge for the use of their grounds, training equipment must be bought, the list is long. Academies need money every single day.

We did our best, although not enough, to capacitate coaches that once worked with us to develop their coaching skills and study other courses to prepare for times when they will need something to fall back on.

With MSE’s exit, the Mbombela area and Mpumalanga province still have many development clubs and academies which we trust will continue doing the good job they have been doing.

We want to see our boys going very far, lighting up big leagues all over the world, and more importantly, changing the lives of their families.

To the MSE family, thanks very much for the memories.

Hasta la Vista.

Sizwe sama Yende

(MSE founder)

We're inviting players born in 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 for assessment on 3 to 4 March in Valencia 4:30pm. Come with your parent. If s/he can't accompany you they must contact 0790847268 beforehand. Players must not call or text us. We prefer players who are not attached to any team or academy. Goalkeepers are encouraged to come.

The 2026 programme has started. Let's try again.

Our interview on Ikwekwezi FM:

Zitheziwe: Sizwe Yende - Weekend Sports

Quiz: Who are these former Mpumalanga School of Excellence players and do you know which professional clubs they are playing for now?

Tune in to Ikwekwezi FM @ 4:10pm today. We will be talking about football development in Mpumalanga, and more importantly, struggles of running a soccer academy and why MSE has closed down its boarding house in 2026.

See you there

Another year, another attempt. Despite setbacks, we are trying again. We won't
leave hungry players without a home. We will preserve our legacy, which we achieved under very difficult conditions since 2019. It was never easy from the beginning. ✌️.

Mpumalanga School of Excellence has reached out in Daggakraal near Volksrust. We hope to unearth talent in the dusty fields. Talking of diamonds in the ruff.

Tumelo"Rushford" Meyisa × Suprise "Rama" Nhlabathi

🎓Made at Mpumalanga School of Excellence ⚽

The future is in safe hands. 🇿🇦

🤘

Our product Vuyo "Mera" Macina who recently joined JDR Stars in the GladAfrica Championship. Good luck and fly the flag. #MSE #WeAreDreamers #EducatedFootballers