Four young footballers from the Eastern Cape are currently on assessment at DStv Premiership outfit Cape Town City Football Club.
The teenagers, aged 18 and 20, were scouted during the recently held AmaMpondo Sports Foundation tournament in Lusikisiki and have been invited to train with the club’s first team for a week.
The four players are Sibabalwe Myeki and Amahle Nodini [Elects FC in Kokstad], Nombekela Yonele [FC Royals in Mfundisweni, Bizana], and Kaya Mavovana [Mavuka in Kokstad].
If the boys impress the coaching staff, they could be offered a place in the club’s youth academy. Cape Town City is one of the leading clubs in South Africa and has a strong track record of developing young players. The club has produced several internationals in recent years, including Kaka Sifumba, Jaedin Rhodes, and Luyolo Slatsha.
The trial is a great opportunity for the four boys to showcase their talent and earn a professional contract. It is also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the AmaMpondo Sports Foundation, which has hosted four editions of the annual tournament.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF FOOTBALL IN EASTERN CAPE?
The fact that four young boys from the Eastern Cape are on trial at a top-flight club like Cape Town City is a very positive sign for the future of football in the region. It shows that there is a lot of talent in the area.
The Eastern Cape has a long history of producing talented footballers, but in recent years, the region has fallen behind other parts of South Africa in terms of development. However, with initiatives like the Cape Town City trial, there is hope that the Eastern Cape can once again become a major force in South African football.
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“It’s every boy’s dream to get this kind of opportunity,” ASF secretary Zuki Ngundze said. “Our tournament aims to expose these teenagers, and now they have the chance to make their dreams a reality.”
“We’re so grateful to Cape Town City for giving them this opportunity. Our prayer is that more clubs would take a look at some of the talent we have in the Eastern Cape.
“More corporates should support these initiatives. We wouldn’t have done the tournaments without the support of Vodacom from Umtata. The Chief Whip, Mr Mbongeni Nkungu from Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, has also been supportive,” added Ngundze.
The boys arrived in Cape Town on Sunday and have already started training with the Cape Town City U18 team. Cape Town City are said to be excited about the quartet’s potential. The club will assess how they perform during the weeklong assessment. If they continue to work hard and impress, they could have a bright future with the Citizens.