Gopolang Taunyana goes from officiating to become an African champion

Taunyana, who was recruited by Chiefs, became a match official two years later and won the same tournament in which he was officiating.

The former Parktown Boys High School learner was part of the Amajita team that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 tournament in Egypt, and he still can’t believe his rise in the game.

"I think for me it's unreal moment. I think from where we come from, I think things like this don't happen to normal people these things happen to special people. This moment is a moment to cherish forever and for me, I'm just grateful, I'm just full of gratitude, to the players, to the coaches and everybody who's helped me and the players get here," Taunyana said.

Taunyana, who officiated under the Randburg Central Local Football Association (LFA), says at some stage he thought refereeing would be the path to follow for him at the highest level.

"Yes and no, I think there were times where I was a referee and I was doing quite well and I thought that I would probably get into refereeing and maybe be here as a referee but you know life and God has its own ways to work itself out and look at me now, celebrating as a player not as a referee," he added.

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Taunyana, only featured in the opening game in this tournament, came on as a substitute when captain Asekho Tiwani got injured. He says they have shocked many by winning this tournament.

"I think what we can take is sometimes you never doubt yourselves. I think coming into this tournament, there was a lot of talk about whether we could qualify for the World Cup and we knew that we could, but winning it wasn't in the clear, but look at us now.

“I think we didn't doubt ourselves and I think to a lot of people that's what it means, just to not doubt ourselves, to be resilient and to give it your and that's what the guys did and this is why we're wearing the medals today."