Ke Yona star joins Chilli Boys
Mdatyulwa happy to be enlisted in big-time league
Since its inception in 2013, the Ke Yona Team Search initiative has not borne desired results to produce players for professional clubs, and only two graduates of this programme have took the top-flight by storm in six years. SuperSport United’s Aubrey Modiba and Bongani Sam of Bloemfontein Celtic are the only two products who have made it big by establishing themselves in the senior sides, with many prospects ending up in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) teams.
Players such as goalkeeper Mduduzi Khumalo, released by Free State Stars before the start of this season, and current Ea Lla Koto centre-back Bongani Mbuli, are the example of players who have struggled to step up to the senior team. They play in the MDC.
After signing a three-year contract with Chippa United, this year’s Ke Yona Team star Lunathi Mdatyulwa, 21, is eager to emulate Modiba by breaking into the Chilli Boys’ first team.
“It feels like a dream come true that I have secured a professional contract with Chippa. But I know that this is just a start. My goal is to be like Modiba. I want to get into the first team and make my name,” said Mdatyulwa, who scored Team’s goal in their 2-1 defeat to Free State Stars in the Ke Yona Challenge in September. The Ke Yona Team Challenge is contested by the Nedbank Cup champions and aspiring footballers of the programme. In 2014, Mdatyulwa was in the books of Cape Town City’s MDC side, but endured a torrid stint. The Tarkasdadborn, Eastern Cape, attacking-midfielder has reflected on how his abortive spell with the Citizens helped him.
“Eish ... things did not work out at City. I took my struggles there as lessons.” The Chilli Boys offered the left-footer a deal. Mdatyulwa is already training with the senior team under the supervision of head coach Eric Tinkler.