Experienced attacker Xolani “Blackberry” Nkala is determined to help RRR Rams FC secure promotion from the ABC Motsepe League while working towards a return to professional football.
Nkala, who has previously represented Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs Mbombela United, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) and JDR Stars, is now part of the ambitious RRR Rams project under former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United player Rudzani Ramudzuli.
The 30-year-old first made his name through his entertaining performances at township football tournaments, particularly with AT Mambas, before earning an opportunity in professional football.
His professional journey included a two-season spell at Mbombela United between 2017 and 2019, followed by a move to TTM in 2022. He subsequently joined JDR Stars ahead of the 2023/24 season.
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Despite experiencing setbacks along the way, Nkala remains positive about his career and believes he still has plenty to offer on the pitch.
It’s been a great journey. In life there are ups and downs, but the best thing is to always have a great mind and stay positive. I’ve been in a professional setup, worked my way up and fought, but sometimes coaches’ decisions as players let us down. It’s been a lovely career for me, and I’m still playing and going hard,” Nkala said.
The attacker believes joining RRR Rams has given him another opportunity to revive his career, crediting Ramudzuli for the support and encouragement he has received since arriving at the club.
Having previously played at the highest level, Ramudzuli’s understanding of professional football has also made a positive impression on Nkala.
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He believes the club has the right people and structures to build a competitive team capable of reaching the next level.
It’s a great club. It’s owned by a former PSL player, Rudzani Ramudzuli, and he’s one of the best. When you join a project run by someone who played football, it becomes better because he understands situations,” he said.
“Giving me a second chance to revive my career has been great. He’s supporting me and always giving me positives. I believe this project is going to be one of the great ones.”
Nkala has made it clear that his immediate priority is helping RRR Rams secure promotion, insisting that the belief shown in him by the chairman and technical team motivates him to give his best.
My ambition is to get promotion with the club. The chairman believes in me, the coaches believe in me, so it’s a great project. Taking the team to the next level is going to be a great achievement,” he added.
The experienced attacker also acknowledged the competitive nature of the ABC Motsepe League, pointing out that the promotion race is particularly demanding because of the number of teams competing across the country’s nine provinces.
While finances remain a challenge for many clubs in the third tier, he praised club chairpersons for their efforts to support players as they pursue their ambitions.
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For Nkala, the competition also presents an opportunity for players, particularly the younger generation, to attract attention and earn opportunities at a higher level.
He has taken it upon himself to make the younger players comfortable around him while sharing his experience and helping them remain motivated.
On a personal level, the forward wants to contribute more goals and assists as RRR Rams pursue their promotion ambitions.
Rams can get promotion. We’re fighting until the last. They must expect goals, assists and everything from Blackberry,” he said.
Despite having spent time away from professional football, Nkala has not given up on his ambition of returning to the higher divisions.
He remains confident that, with the backing of Ramudzuli and the club’s technical team, another opportunity could come his way.
I believe anytime soon Blackberry is coming back,” he concluded.