THE CLASS OF 2009 ... WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

How many of the Amajita side that competed at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt have kicked on with their careers?

GOALKEEPERS

Darren Keet – After five years at Kortrijk in Belgium, Keet is back at Bidvest Wits with five caps for Bafana Bafana. Thela Ngobeni – Ngobeni was a backup keeper at both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, but is now having a fine season at Free State Stars. Tawfeeq Salie – Knocked around the lower leagues before joining Maritzburg United, where he made 10 starts in the 2015/16 season. He’s now at NFD side Cape Town All Stars.

DEFENDERS

Sibusiso Khumalo – Now playing for Kaizer Chiefs, the left-back also turned out for Moroka Swallows, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns. Has four caps for Bafana Bafana. Sibusiso Mxoyana – Once touted as having great promise, he played a handful of games at Orlando Pirates, before joining Vasco da Gama in 2014. He’s now with Bloemfontein Celtic. Thulani Hlatshwayo – Went on to be a pillar of strength at Ajax Cape Town and now Bidvest Wits, also winning 26 caps for Bafana Bafana. Ramahlwe Mphahlele – Captain of the side at the 2009 Under-20 World Cup and this season joined Kaizer Chiefs from Mamelodi Sundowns. Gladwin Shitolo – Has not quite kicked on after emerging as a talent at Jomo Cosmos. He joined Orlando Pirates in 2014, but had loan spells at Platinum Stars and Lamontville Golden Arrows. Phumelele Bhengu – The 2014/15 NFD top-scorer was actually selected as a right-back in Egypt, having switched from the striking position at then club Moroka Swallows. Had a short spell with Chippa United, but found form again in the NFD when he netted 24 times for Thanda Royal Zulu. That led to a move to SuperSport, but he recently made the switch to second-tier Royal Eagles. Collen Zulu – Was developed through SuperSport and at the time was on loan at Mpumalanga Black Aces. Faded after that.

MIDFIELDERS

Andile Jali – A midfield star with Bafana and has 41 caps. Campaigns in Belgium with KV Oostende, having previously excelled at Orlando Pirates. Kamohelo Mokotjo – A prized asset at Dutch side FC Twente, Mokotjo also played for Excelsior, Feyenoord and PEC Zwolle. Has six Bafana Bafana caps. Daylon Claasen – Plays with Bundesliga II side 1860 Munich, formerly with Ajax Cape Town, Ajax Amsterdam, Belgian side Lierse and Lech Poznan in Poland. Has 11 caps. Sameehg Doutie – Recently returned to Ajax Cape Town having left the club in 2011. Had unsuccessful spells with Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits, and has also campaigned in India with Atlético Kolkata. Thulani Serero – At one stage a first team regular at Ajax Amsterdam, Serero was not even given a squad number this season. But he is a key player for Bafana and has 35 caps. Philani Khwela – Developed through the SuperSport academy and left for Feyenoord at the same time as Mokotjo. Returned to SuperSport in 2011 and had loan spells at AmaTuks, Chippa United and Black Aces, but has not played as a professional since 2013. Mandla Masango – Recently signed for SuperSport United on loan after returning to the PSL from Danish club Randers. Has 23 caps for Bafana. George Maluleka – Rose to prominence at NFD side AmaTuks, before a bit-part role at SuperSport and success with Ajax Cape Town. Now with Kaizer Chiefs. Has six Bafana caps.

FORWARDS

Thulani Ngcepe – Once described as the‘new Benni McCarthy’, he was not. Unearthed at Moroka Swallows, he later signed for SuperSport and AmaTuks. Was at Wits last season, but left halfway through. Kermit Erasmus – Currently at French Ligue 2 side Lens on loan from Rennes. Developed at SuperSport, he moved to Feyenoord in 2008, but returned to United the following year. Joined Orlando Pirates in 2013. Has 11 caps for Bafana. Dino Ndlovu – Currently the most prolific South African striker abroad, Ndlovu plays for top Azerbaijan club Qarabag. Never cut it in the PSL, but found form in Israel with Bnei Yehuda and Maccabi Haifa, as well as Cyprus with Anorthosis. Has four caps for Bafana.