Gqeberha teen selected to play soccer in Turkey | News24

Rio Jonas’ talent is taking him abroad, but he needs your help.

• Rio trialled at The Football Project, and was selected by Coach Eldon Smith to be part of the Africa to Europe Tour in Turkey, next year in March.
• Between now and March next year, the Jonas family has to raise around R40 000.
• Rio will be travelling with a group of players that have been selected from different provinces, the coach, and manager of the team.

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Gqeberha teenager, Rio Ferdinand Jonas, might be an introvert, but boy does he let his heart out on the soccer field! At just four Jonas started casually playing soccer with his older brother, Zinadine Jonas. The little boy instantly showed passion, and a deep sense of commitment to the beautiful game loved by many.

After realising this was not just a passing childhood phase, their mother, Lelarche Jonas, enrolled Rio at the Glenville Celtic Football Club, and then eventually moved him to Ebayi Football Club in 2021, where he is still playing.

Lelarche describes her youngest as a very sporty person, vibrant, talented, and humble too. She said that Rio can be funny at times, but will certainly quietly sulk when he loses a game.

“But he’s a very respectful and well-disciplined young man,” she said.

Rio has been playing consistently for many years – it was only a matter of time for his impeccable soccer skills to get noticed – but even his mother never thought his first big break would be an international one.

Rio trialled at The Football Project, and was selected by Coach Eldon Smith to be part of the Africa to Europe Tour in Turkey, next year in March.

“We were sitting in the bedroom and talking about the exam paper he wrote that afternoon when he received the message. Rio is a child who does not always express his emotions but if you know him well enough, you will know how he feels about the news he receives. He could not stop speaking to his brother about it, and already envisions himself on the field,” said Lelarche, remembering the day Rio got the news.

Between now and March next year, the Jonas family has to raise around R40 000.

“We would appreciate any donations and sponsors from our community to help make Rio’s dream possible. We are praying that a club abroad selects him, as he has talent and passion for the game of football,” his mother added.

“I’m incredibly proud of him, and I know this is only the beginning of many more achievements for him.”

Rio’s dad, Ferdinand Jonas, family, friends, educators, and schoolmates are all proud of him and support him.

Congratulatory messages have been flooding in, and his tourism teacher, Anderson Malgas, immediately assisted him with creating a poster for sponsorships.

Rio will be travelling with a group of players that have been selected from different provinces, the coach, and manager of the team.

For more information, contact Lelarche on 065 978 5180.