THE FUSE

Visually impaired commentators are bringing matches to life, showing how sport can be inclusive. South Africa’s blind football team heads to the US mini this May and calls the community for support.

Johannesburg, South Africa (17 February 2026) – When you think of football commentary, you probably picture commentators with eyes glued to the pitch, narrating every pass, tackle, and goal. But in Johannesburg, a groundbreaking initiative is rewriting that narrative, and that’s blind football commentary.

Under the umbrella of Johannesburg Blind Football Association and supported by Corinthians Africa, visually impaired commentators are bringing matches to life for fans, proving that limitations exist only in perception. Corinthians Africa is a highly regarded non-profit organisation (NPO) and social enterprise focused on community transformation through sports, education and agriculture.

Blind football itself is a thrilling variation of the game. Played five-a-side, four outfield players wear goggles to ensure fairness across varying degrees of sight. The ball is equipped with bells, allowing players to navigate and strike using sound.

“They scream ‘boy!’ as they approach the ball. It’s chaotic, thrilling, And they’ve got guides who help them to navigate the playing arena,” Jack Msibi from Corinthians Africa says.

The commentary initiative officially launched in early February, inspired by the passion of people like Sibusiso Lukhelo and Mduduzi Lukhelo. Two brothers, who despite being blind, found their voice in narration over the game of football.

“One of the guys would do commentary by himself at the stoop whenever I visited the Johannesburg Society for the Blind. He’d watch matches on Ukhozi FM, mimic the style, and practice non-stop. I thought, why not give him a platform?”

Early challenges did test them. Amplifiers and transmitters didn’t arrive on time, so Jack improvised with phones and Bluetooth headsets.

“We connected them to someone on the pitch who could see, and suddenly it worked. It was brilliant at first, it blew people away. You can’t see, yet you hear everything and can commentate live. It was like Avatar, the connectivity. It just clicks!”

The innovation has a global impact. South Africa’s blind football team and commentators have been invited to a World Cup in the United States this May, and they have turned to the community at large for their support.

Photo Credit: Johannesburg Blind Football Association

At the heart of it all is inclusivity.

“This isn’t only about sport, it’s about proving blind people can be part of society, the economy, the Premier Soccer League one day. Why not?”

The initiative also empowers participants in digital marketing, AI, and coaching. Volunteers are encouraged to help in all areas: as medics, cooks, content creators, or marshals guiding players on and off the pitch. The league’s impact goes beyond the games themselves. Teams travel hours just to play, sometimes without proper kits, yet the community rallies to ensure they’re ready.

Blind football commentary is proving that vision is more than seeing, but it can also be creativity and teamwork, breaking barriers.

To support the team as they gear up for the USA Blind Soccer International Cup, see details below:

FNB/RMB
JBFA
REF: NAME/CONTACT
CHEQUE ACCOUNT – 62798078864

Sources: GTG Interview

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.