With the Persian Gulf Pro League in recess, South African star Ayanda Patosi is back on home soil and this weekend he took some time out to give back to his boyhood club in Khayelitsha!
This weekend Iranian-based footballer and Foolad FC star, Patosi was in the area he grew up in to award his former team Mighty FC with boots and soccer balls.
Through his organization, the Ayanda Patosi Foundation along with Mark Mayambela and Mkhanyiseli Siwahla, the former Cape Town City attacker gave the club he grew up playing for 20 pairs of Nike soccer boots as well as 10 soccer balls.
Scroll through the gallery above to see Ayanda Patosi's donation towards his boyhood club
The 28-year-old attacking midfielder is currently enjoying his holidays after winning the Hazfi Cup on the back end of the 2020/21 season, and through this initiative and donation, Patosi has shown a touch of class – which is synonymous with how he plays on the pitch.
The two-time Belgian Cup winner is a popular figure in Khayelitsha and a role model for many young and aspiring footballers in the community of Site C. The community's local league is very much aware and proud of Patosi, and he is viewed as the area's greatest export.
The 12-capped Bafana Bafana star is said to be known for showing up in the community on a relatively regular basis despite being overseas for most of his playing career. He has played more than 160 games for Belgian top-flight side KSC Lokeren, from 2011/22 up to 2016/17 season.
From then on, he had a successful stint with Cape Town City, where he won an MTN8 title before securing yet another move abroad in 2018/19.
What seems apparent is that 'Deco', which was the nickname he was referred to growing up because of his ability to be the playmaker, is very much proud of his roots and has not forgotten about where it all started. With the support of other popular figures in Khayelitsha's football, Mayambela and former Ajax Cape Town star Siwahla, the charity work they are doing is said to continue through their foundations.
Your thoughts, please?
Should Patosi receive a call-up in the Bafana Bafana squad anytime soon?