From Hammanskraal to Holland, Abram Ngcobo shares his story

Coming from a small town in the northern parts of Gauteng – Hammanskraal, Abram has learnt a lot on his way to making it to the first team of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Abrams story between the posts starts in Grade 5 when his school team was in need of a keeper after a no show, playing back then as a right-back and the team captain, a brave young Abram stepped up to the plate, “Our keeper did not show up that day, so I took the number 1 jersey, everything went well I stopped a lot of shots and after the game, my coach said you did well why don’t you be a goalkeeper?”

There was no looking back and after a couple of years of hard work a 16-year-old Abram got a break and the young keeper joined The Brazilians’ academy in 2013 under the watchful eye of club legend Godfrey Sapula.

It didn’t take long for Abram to start collecting some silverware with The Brazilians, the young keeper  was part of the team that clinched the MDC League title in 2017 and qualified for the MultiChoice International Challenge trophy held in Holland, a tournament that they would later go on and win, beating Japanese side Ichifuna FC 1-0, Abram attributes these wins to “having a good group of players”

Abram has since graduated from the MDC to now training with the first team with the likes of Denis Onyango, Kennedy Mweene and Reyaad Pieters. With all this experience Abram has learnt some valuable lessons when asked what these were the youngster had this to say “I’ve learnt through the years you have to to be patient and disciplined when it’s your time it’s your time, don’t try and control the system, you need to follow the protocols and listen to what people tell you also have to be strong and you have to wait for your time”

He ends off with telling us what it takes to be a footballer at the highest level “What I’ve learnt the most is that you have to be professional, that means you have to look after yourself, play your part in the team, this isn’t easy it’s a different life most and importantly you have to be responsible”

27 Responses
  1. Pat Mnyanda

    Best wishes young man. Your time will come to take over and make the PSL your own play ground. Stay focused grounded. Put the Lord Jesus first in your life and your dreams will be fulfilled.

    Best wishes

    1. Linda Masondo

      Dankie sana,u have chosen da ryt team,team dat make young footballers come true,Downs is the way

  2. Norman

    Congratulations young man. I hope you get your chance, as you would be the first Downs keeper to be promoted from the MDC team.

  3. JOY DA POET MOREMI

    Congratulations young man let the sky continue to be the limit… Ur destined for greatness

    1. Thandikaya Koti

      I wish to see you taking the no1 jersey at Sundowns because I never seen any goalkeeper that promoted to the first team from our development team taking the no1 jersey at Sundowns so please work hard boy

      1. NJ Sebola

        Can’t wait to see you in the first eleven of the Brazilians 👆👆keep up the good work Broer

    2. David Masango

      If you will continue to work hard, listen to instructions and persevering you will go far young man

  4. Sikelela Mpini

    Qina ndoda ibhola ixhomekeke ekuzimiseleni kwakho ze nabazemvakwakho bafunde kuwe, ndiphambili Dawana👆👆👆

  5. Dickson Augusto

    Big ups to the scouts and development team…keep on bringing the young generation at downs…👆👆

  6. Ntsikesizwe

    We need more south african players to be granted such opportunities when deserved of course this light’s up our future bafana bafana more stars

  7. Dimakatso Mashigo

    I’m so proud of you hey. Wish you nothing but the best. Stay disciplined and focused you’ll definitely reach the sky. Remember to put God in everything you do.❤♥️❤ Take care.

  8. Ketlhotswe

    I am very happy to see someone from my Hometown Hammanskrala who have made in life eventhough he have a long journey in his career but I am inspired by Abram . It shows that in life all you have to do is to work hard and also believe in the process and God will open the gates for you . Wish you all the best you are going to be the first goalkeeper from Hammanskrala who is going to put our town on the Map. May God bless you 🙏

  9. Angeline

    Hello everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this web page, and post
    is genuinely fruitful in support of me, keep up posting these
    articles.

  10. Leo

    It’s in fact very difficult in this full of activity life to listen news
    on TV, therefore I simply use web for that purpose, and take the most up-to-date
    information.

Follow Masandawana

2024/25 Betway Premiership

PosTeamPPts
1821
2821
3815
4914

Latest News Stories

Bafana Ba Style Primed for First Meeting Against AS FAR
December 7, 2024
Downs’ Club World Cup Opponents Confirmed
December 6, 2024
Sundowns Ladies Aiming to Finish Off Season on a High
December 6, 2024