At the time of his untimely passing in 2010, former Kaizer Chiefs dribbling wizard Emmanuel ‘Scara’ Ngobese left behind a toddler son who was just two years old. His son Lwandle Yende opted to use his mother’s surname to ‘escape’ the pressure of carrying his late father’s last name, though he’s equally up to the task of continuing Scara’s legacy.
‘Scara junior’ came through the ranks at Bafana United Soccer Academy in Thokoza on Gauteng’s East Rand. It was from the Bafana United Academy that at just 11 years old Scara junior was snapped up by Chiefs in April this year.
Now 14 and in Grade 9 at Tiisetsong Secondary School, Yende is a spitting image of his late talented dad. He is tall, boasts a deadly left foot, is pacey, and leaves defenders for dead with his trickery.
Yende has of late slowly been honing his skills with Amakhosi’s U17 side, as he looks to break into the DStv Diski Challenge squad under the tutelage of coach Vela Khumalo.
In a candid chat with ThisIsFootball.Africa’s Cliffird Thudinyane, Scara Jnr opened up about how he has been settling in, his support structure, and where he sees his immediate future.
Cliffird Thundiyane (CT): How have you settled in at Naturena since signing for Chiefs?
Lwandle Yende (LY): It’s been tough for me as you know I’ve only been training with Amakhosi for a few months. I’m still trying to adapt to their style of play, but I’ll surely do my best if given the chance to showcase my talent.
CT: Who is your favourite Chiefs player?
LY: Lwazi Mnyandu and Sfiso Timba. They inspire me a lot to keep pushing and to do better. So, I look up to them.
CT: How much does this dream coming true (playing for Chiefs) mean for you and your grandmother?
LY: It means a lot to play for Kaizer Chiefs as my grandmother knew it was my childhood dream. She is supporting me, and I want to continue with my father’s legacy.
CT: What are your immediate future goals at Chiefs?
LY: I first need to adapt to their style of play, and I’d like to see myself playing in the DDC or the first team in a few years.
Will young Scara junior emulate his father, the late Scara Ngobese,success at Kaizer Chiefs or will the name wear heavy on him? Time will tell.
Chiefs already boast a number of talented youngsters like Mduduzi Shabalala, and Mfundo ‘Obrigado’ Vilakazi, which means ‘Scara Jnr’ will have his work cut out if he wishes to rub shoulders with the duo in the Diski challenge squad in the foreseeable future.