GOAL! BULILIMA YOUTHS DRIBBLE PAST CRIME, Community soccer league scores big win against drugs and theft

Ronald Mpofu, B-Metro Reporter

WHO needs whistles to call order when footballs are doing the job?

A game-changing community soccer league in Bulilima’s Ward 1 and 2 is turning heads and lives around — tackling crime, drug abuse and boredom with boots, goals and unity.

Launched on 5 May 2025, the Community Champions League was kicked off by local youths who saw sport as the ultimate weapon to fight growing cases of theft, assault and substance abuse in their area.

With Chief Somfula’s blessing, the beautiful game has now become a lifeline.
“We now have six teams: Nyabane FC, Tshankwa FC, Diba FC, Flamingos FC, Natane FC and Sikhathini FC,” said league chairperson Thembelani Moyo. “The idea was simple, keep the youths busy and off the streets. And it’s working. Crime is dropping and the boys are focused.”

Nyabane Primary School is also reaping the rewards. The school allowed Nyabane FC to use its pitch for training, and in return, the club helps coach the school’s team.
“It’s a win-win,” said Fundani Ngwenya, the league’s vice chairperson and Nyabane FC captain. “We train together and the kids are improving fast. This year, they qualified for the district competitions, something that hadn’t happened in years.”

At Diba FC, coach Mkhululi Moyo hailed the positive energy sweeping through the community.
“This league has changed the spirit of the youth,” said Moyo. “We’ve seen more discipline, passion and purpose. Some players are even dreaming big now. They believe football can take them places.”

Local stakeholders have chipped in with some support, providing basic sponsorship for match days and logistics. But the league is still struggling financially.
“We sometimes have to postpone matches because we can’t cover transport or referees’ fees,” Moyo added. “We’re appealing to well-wishers and companies to come on board and support this vision.”

From crime to community, from chaos to camaraderie, Bulilima’s football revolution is proof that when the whistle blows, hope kicks off.

Because sometimes, all it takes to change a life is a football.