Young star tests positive abroad
Several local footballers ply their trade overseas. Sunday World zooms in on some of the little-known Portugal-based players with the potential to be household names in global football
The focus comes after news broke that SA budding star Siphephelo Sithole, who plays in the colours of Portuguese topflight side Belenenses SAD, tested positive for the coronavirus this week. But does the name ring a bell?
Siphephelo Sithole (Belenenses)
The 21-year-old gifted Durban-born central midfielder left SA shores in 2017 to join Sporting Lisbon’s Under-19 side, where he lasted a year, before joining the Vitora de Setubal Under-23 team. Sithole moved to Belenenses in January last year. He is the famed Kwazulu-natal academy’s product. Sithole is nicknamed “Yaya” owing to his style of play that is homogeneous to that of Ivorian great Yaya Toure.
Sibusiso Shibane (Portimonense)
Shibane is also a Kwazulu-natal Academy graduate. The talented forward went to Portugal in January 2018, joining the Setubal Under-19 side. He lasted just six months at his first club. He ended up joining Portimonense in July 2018. Shibane is still on the books of the Portimonense reserves. Apart from being lethal in front of goal, Shibane is also admired for his high work rate and defensive contributions.
Nkanyiso Shinga (Vitoria de Setubal)
Shinga is a 19-year-old talented left-back and a product of the Kwazulu-natal Academy as well, arriving in Europe two years ago to play for the Setubal Under-19 team. Last year, he was promoted to the Under-23s side. Known mainly for his offensive capabilities, trickery, and technical qualities, Shinga plays mainly as a left-sided attacking full-back or wingback, but can also operate as a left winger, or even in midfield.
Simo Mbhele (Sertanense)
Mbhele is an attacking midfielder who came through the famous Kwazulu-natal Academy development system. The 21-year-old left for Portugal four years ago when he joined 1° Dezembro. In 2018, Mbhele moved to Palmelense before joining Sertanense last year. He is a dynamic and disciplined player, known for his excellent ball-winning abilities as a boxto-box midfielder.
Thibang Phethe (Belenenses)
Phete has been in Portugal since 2014, arriving in Europe to link up with third-tier side Tourizense. The 25-year-old centre-back was locally nurtured by Stars of Africa Academy. He joined Belenenses from Famalicao in January last year. Born in Kimberly, he is comfortable on both the tactical and technical aspect of defending.