The Rep

Back from Ajax

- ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

SEVEN Stars left wing Javian Rooi, midfielder Siphesihle Ndata and Phoenix FC Phiwokuhle “Eddie” Siyo have returned from the Ajax Cape Town trials held last Friday.

The three were invited to the team’s academy after they were selected by Ajax Cape Town scout and former Orlando Pirates player David Nyathi at the Sisa Mbekeni U15 soccer tournament in Cacadu in May.

Rooi was the top goal scorer in the tournament with Siyo the player of the tournament and Ndata selected for the 15 players to play against the Ajax Cape Town U15 team.

This was Rooi and Siyo’s second time at the Ajax Cape Town trials.

Coach Yongama Kepkey said Rooi was the most advanced player of the district in June.

“In September, they will be leaving for another assessment along with the 15 other players who were selected as a squad.”

He said there was plenty of football talent in Komani.

While Ajax had indicated that they would return on an annual basis to look for talent, he said they would also like Chippa United scouts to come to Chris Hani to boost football developmen­t in the region.

Kepkey said, “Rooi is a skilful and discipline­d player with incredible pace. Ndatha is a talented left-footed player.”

Phoenix FC coach Richard Klaas said Siyo was a left- and right-footed player who started playing football at the age of

10.

“In 2014, he was selected for the Transnet trials where he played as a striker and scored

10 goals. In 2015, he was selected to represent the U13 provincial team which returned with bronze from the Safa nationals in Pretoria. He is capable of playing in any position and he is passionate.”

 ?? Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA ?? SOCCER DEVELOPMEN­T: Local players back from Ajax trials in Cape Town are, from left, Seven Stars midfielder Siphesihle Ndata, left wing Javian Rooi and Phoenix FC Phiwokuhle ‘Eddie’ Siyo
Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA SOCCER DEVELOPMEN­T: Local players back from Ajax trials in Cape Town are, from left, Seven Stars midfielder Siphesihle Ndata, left wing Javian Rooi and Phoenix FC Phiwokuhle ‘Eddie’ Siyo

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