A whole new 2011/2012 Absa PSL season has taken off and I'm taking this opportunity to launch this blog. After being exposed to a lot of Engen Knockout u-17 tournaments in the off season I am convinced there is enough new talent in the lower ranks to look forward to in the future, while we wait I have decided to look at the young players in the PSL teams you may want to watch closely as they make names for themselves.
Ajax Cape Town fc
Khama Billiat 19/08/1990 Attacking Midfielder
After what can be termed a dream season for the urban warriors (…just short of a league title), they have lost their key player in Thulani Serero to Ajax Amsterdam yet there is still Khama Billiat. This boy will certainly want to cement his place in the South African hearts by bringing out his best in the field of play. Khama came from Zimbabwe and we knew little about him but in the short space he has made it a point that he makes a mark that all soccer lovers in mzanzi will take note of. He’s got wonderful technique, good touches and his movements off the ball will push you to the edge of your seat especially when it is your team playing against Ajax.
Amazulu fc
Mbongeni Mzimela 03/04/1985 Goalkeeper
After a dazzling season for Mbongeni Mzimela the young lad will have a challenge up his sleave to retain the 1st eleven team place after the acquisition of former Platinum Stars goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini. With a strong foundation laid while in development at Kaizer Chiefs, Mbongeni will certainly take the challenge head on to claim his place. He came out with match winning performances last season that got him a call or 2 to the national team and he will be sure to continue dishing out acrobatics that lead to him being noticed.
Santos fc
Shafeeq Arendse 31/05/1988 Midfield
First time I saw Shafeeq Arendze was during the Nedbank cup 09/10 season while he was still in the colours of Tuks. He is an outstanding ball player with defence splitting passes that can rattle any team. He likes the ball on his feet and when he’s got it anything can happen for the people’s team.
Sundowns fc
Themba Zwane 01/01/1990 Attacking Midfielder
Now this is one player that I can't wait to see in the blue, yellow and green. Themba Zwane is a player with too much talent for one individual and that makes him stand out among his peers. Having been bought in the mid-season transfer window from a Vodacom league side Vardos FC, Themba is yet to make his debut in the Bafana ba style colours. He is exciting to watch and definitely one for the future.
Maritzburg United
Kulegani Madondo 20/06/1990
Kulegani "Chillies" Madondo is another of a few players discovered during the CocaCola football stars tv show. He went on to polish up his football with Bidvest Wits development and that's when Maritzburg United took note and scooped him before Bidvest Wits could promote him to the 1st team. Similar to his previous coach (Ernst Middendorp) the current one Ian palmer speaks highly of him and for the fact that the average age in his teams current squad is around 23/24 Kulegani maybe expected to play a senior role in Maritzburg United's heart of midfield due to his disciplined style of play.
Bidvest Wits fc
Letsie Koapeng 12/01/1992 Striker
Letsie is a marks man for the future. Hailed by his technical team as the next Benni McCarthy, He has previously had a shadow role to seniors like Sifiso Vilakazi and I see Roger De Sa giving him a role to play this season. With the record Bidvest Wits holds in developing good players my money will be on Letsie to start making a name for himself this season. Similar to Maritzburg they are a youngster studded team so my advice is… watch this boy the moment he gets a run.
Supersport United fc
Philani Khwela 22/08/1991 Attacking Midfielder
Philani Khwela has been recalled from the Supersport junior side to join the senior team again and without a doubt the former Amajita captain will look forward to have a say in Gavin Hunt’s team selection in the new season, not by talking too much but by channeling all his efforts in using the football skills he has been blessed with to good use. Philani has been a regular feature in the national under 23 set up and for him it is high time he gets to be counted amongst the big boys.
Black Leopards fc
Rodney Ramagalela 10/01/1989 Striker
Ramagalela has been instrumental in the return of lidhoda duvha to the top flight football and Shakes Mashaba acknowledged his contribution by recently giving him a nod for the U23 side. He will look to prove that he is not just a 1st division player but a striker to be reckoned with up against the big guns. Good luck to any defender willing to leave him lurking around unattended.
Kaiser Chiefs fc
George Lebese 03/02/1989 Attacking Midfielder
It takes a special young talent to crack it onto the Kaizer Chiefs set up as there is much more at stake according to the Amakhosi faithfuls and from the little I've seen of George Lebese the young man is that special talent. With good supervision from the head coach Vladimir Vermerzovic he will certainly make a powerful impact in the Kazer Chiefs attacking force.
Jomo Cosmos fc
Bongane Theletsane 04/08/1989 Midfielder
The man with interesting hairstyles in the field of play has been with Cosmos since 2009, he is one of the players who had a significant role in making sure Ezenkosi make an immediate return to the PSL. With such a big season ahead I am sure we are yet to see the best of shuffle and the mentorship of the African Prince, Jomo Sono, will be to his benefit.
Platinum Stars fc
Joseph Molongoana 17/03/1988 Attacking midfielder
The Alexandra born Mologoana will be a menace to a handful of teams especially with the currently new crop of players Owen Da gama has brought to the team. He makes stars look dangerous on counter attacks due to his speed and his trickery with the ball confuses the hell out of his opponents.
Moroka Swallows fc
Auguston Leonard 03/03/1991 Striker
The young lad came out of his shell after the arrival of Gordon Igesund which was a big surprise to me because I know Gordon to be a coach who prefers the tried and tested. Now that must say a lot Auguston and his potential in the local football arena. His hard work saw the fruits earlier as he assisted the birds to avoid relegation last season. The 2011/2012 season is waiting with anticipation for him to make a mark and secure a place in Shakes Mashaba’s u-23 side.
Free State Stars fc
Goodman Sauhatsi 06/09/1987 Defender
Having made his debut for Ea lla koto in 2010 Goodman has brought sound defensive qualities to the team. The current coach manages his talent very well as he has always made sure he is partnered with experience player. Now in the new season Goodman will make sure he gives his fellow defenders in the team a good run for their money in bid to make the starting lineup.
Bloemfontein Celtics fc
Eric Mathoho 01/03/1990 Defender
Tower (as he is known within the football circles) burst into the scene and most of us never saw it coming. After collecting a few man of the match honors in the previous he was also voted by his peers at Celtics as their player’s player of the season. A lot of teams were even considering to get his signature in the off-season and Eric will definetly make he maintains a solid performance at the back while knocking cementing an u-23 selection and slowly catching Pitso Mosimane attention.
Orlando Pirates fc
Bongani Ndulula 29/11/1989 Striker
Bongani contributed to Pirates league title in the last match as one of the players on the score along with Isaac Chansa and he will be making sure that he continues where he left off. He is the first choice striker for the u-23 side and with a few indications of brilliance he has shown in under Ruud Kroll’s guidance we are yet to see the best of Drogba under the new coach Julio Leal. Having an experienced player of Benni McCarthy’s caliber in the side will help him a lot as he will get a chance to learn from him without any pressure. Buccaneers are displaying beautiful soccer of late and with the amount of scoring opportunities they are able to create I expect him to cash in big time.
Golden Arrows fc
Thamsanqa Gabuza (27/07/1987, Striker)
Thami has been with Abafana besithende for since 2009/2010 season and with the game time he has had one can only say there is so much potential in him. I expect him to pick up his game for the new 2011/2012 season and with the kind of player Arrows have acquired in the off-season there will be ample support around him to terrify any opponent’s defense.
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