A rising star from the village of Rabali in Thohoyandou has captured the attention of two clubs after excelling at the recently held NJM Top 8 Challenge. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder Musekwa Junior, known for his skill and scoring ability, has impressed Black Leopards and Paarl United with his potential.
Musekwa Junior currently plays in the SAFA Hollywoodbets Regional League for Rabali Pull Together, a team that participated in the NJM Challenge. The tournament, organised by Nyambeni Jones Maphalaphathwa, founder and group CEO of NJM Group of Companies, provides a platform for young talents in the Thohoyandou area to showcase their abilities.
Black Leopards coach Maxwell Konadu spent the weekend in Rabali following the tournament.
PRAISE FOR MUSEKWA JUNIOR
Konadu, who brings a championship pedigree from his coaching experience in Ghana, was actively scouting for talent during the tournament. He praised Musekwa Junior’s performance, stating that he had seen players “who are special.” The Leopards mentor is already taking steps to nurture these promising talents and has instructed Leopards officials to initiate discussions with the player.
“We’ve been told that one of the players we want is writing exams. We’ll have to monitor the situation and take him when the time is right,” Konadu said.
Paarl United, on the other hand, are also eager to have a closer look at the player. The Cape Town club, who made the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup last season, will play in the ABC Motsepe League next season. They are looking at reinforcing their squad for the new season.
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“We’re obviously keen on having a closer look at the player because, you know, when you move him from his environment, it’s a different story altogether. But we’re definitely eager to see what he can do because he has the talent,” a Paarl official said.
The NJM Challenge serves as a testament to the abundance of footballing talent in the Thohoyandou region and highlights the crucial role of grassroots initiatives in developing the next generation of football stars. With Konadu’s keen eye for talent and the support of initiatives like the NJM Challenge, young players like Musekwa Junior may be on the cusp of fulfilling careers in professional football.