Cape Town – A promising young Cape Town footballer is looking to take the next step in his footballing journey and this includes a stop at Dallas in the United States.
Lincoln van Zilla, 14, has been selected to represent Table View FC at the 2025 Dallas Cup, one of the most prestigious youth soccer tournaments in the world.
In 2024, Lincoln was captain of his Hellenic U14 Academy team which won the Tygerberg Local Football Association (LFA) league championship.
Lincoln is moving to U16 in 2025, but before then has the opportunity to participate in the Dallas Cup.
Table View FC will be making its fourth appearance at the Dallas Cup in 2025, sending two teams to compete at U15 and U17 age groups.
Teams confirmed for 2025 include the likes of Newcastle United from the UK, Real Madrid from Spain, Botofoga and Sao Paulo from Brazil, and Eintracht Frankfurt from Germany, to name a few.
In previous years, Manchester United, Liverpool, Fulham, and Arsenal, all from England, Tigres from Mexico, and Boca Juniors from Argentina, have all attended the Dallas Cup.
These, along with top qualifying academy teams from the US, make the tournament one of the toughest in the world.
Craig Barrows, one of the organisers from Table View who will be attending his fifth Dallas Cup, said: “Our teams are competing against some of the very best academies in the world. This also includes only the very best teams in the US and the level of competition is exceptionally high.”
Primarily due to the high level of competition, Table View has opted to scout and invite players from the surrounding areas to represent the club at the Dallas Cup.
“The level of competition is so high that we realised that in order to be competitive we simply had to widen our pool of playing talent,” Barrows said.
For the 2025 tournament, the club will be represented by players from Table View, Hellenic FC, and Cape Town Spurs among other local football clubs.
For Lincoln, the Dallas Cup represents an important step in his footballing journey.
“I have played for a number of clubs and academies and each experience has added to my understanding of the game and my growth as a footballer,” he said.
“The Dallas Cup is an incredible opportunity for myself and my teammates and we are all looking forward to it. But before then, there is a lot of hard work, training, and preparation to give us the best chance to perform on a global stage.”
He plays as a No8 midfielder and depending on the game situation can either operate as a double pivot at the base of midfield or as a box-to-box midfielder. He cites Kevin de Bruyne and Rodri from Manchester City as role models.
Lincoln says the US collegiate system is also appealing as a goal to work towards, as being able to play football on a scholarship while obtaining an academic qualification would give him a wonderful platform for later in life.
Asked about the prospect of potentially competing against some of the best young talent globally, Lincoln said: “We have so much talent and ability in South Africa and I have been blessed to play under some top-quality coaches.
“Now we have the opportunity to train together, prepare, and go out there and to measure ourselves and show what we are capable of.
“I, personally, am looking forward to the intensive training and preparation in the coming months as we build up to the Dallas Cup.”
According to Barrows, the Dallas Cup is different from most other youth tournaments globally in that it is by invite only.
To date, only two teams from South Africa have ever managed to secure an invite and Barrows said Table View is determined to build on the foundations laid.
The Dallas Cup is limited to 32 teams per age group and the format is simple – only the first-placed sides in each group make it through to the next round.
Barrows said 2024 saw two Table View teams, the U13 and U18 sides, make it out of the group stages for the first time. “This was a massive achievement for us as a club and a team representing South Africa and we are looking to build on this success with the 2025 teams.”
The basic cost of the two-week trip is R64,000, which includes flights, accommodation, meals, transport, and training and match kit. This is over and above any other trip-related expenses, including a US visa.
Lincoln’s father, Lindiz van Zilla, said the tournament is a significant financial investment and their family would be grateful for any financial support to help make the dream a reality.
He has started up a back-a-buddy campaign where all donations will be paid directly over to Table View FC in support of Lincoln’s quest to make it to Dallas.
“We would kindly ask if businesses and individuals would consider supporting in whatever way possible as every donation, no matter how small, takes us one step closer to making this dream come true.”
Support Lincoln van Zilla: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/lincoln-van-zilla-dallas-cup-2025
For further information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/tableviewfootballclub
