Sibongakonke Mbatha
Sibongakonke Mbatha has not garnered the same headlines as Phakamani Mahlambi or Luther Singh, but the South Africa Under-20 international is an equally exciting prospect, and is set for a big future in the game.
The youngster hopes to makes his mark with Amajita
SBY CHAD KLATE ibongakonke Mbatha may not be one of the most talked about of the young players coming through the ranks at Bidvest Wits, but he has certainly caught the attention of junior national team coaches in recent years and is well on his way to becoming a household name. Hailing from Ulundi in KwaZuluNatal, the 19-year-old midfielder, who can play in a central attacking midfield role or out wide on the flank, was one of the key figures for Thabo Senong’s side as they finished fourth at the African Under-20 Championships in Zambia earlier this year, earning a ticket to the Under-20 FIFA World Cup in South Korea. Mbatha started and completed four of Amajita’s five matches at the Youth Championships and came on for the final half-hour in the thirdplace play-off defeat to Guinea, bagging a goal and an assist in the continental showpiece. “I’m very excited to be going to the World Cup, it’s what I’ve always wanted – I’m sure it’s every youngster’s dream to be there,” he says. Having graduated through the School of Excellence, the diminutive attacker will not be making his first appearance on the global stage, having previously turned out for Molefi Ntseki’s side that featured at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile two years ago. “I started at the School of Excellence, spending my high school years there on a scholarship, and from there I went to the Under-17 World Cup – that’s where I was spotted by Wits and joined the club.” Though he initially joined the academy side, he was quickly promoted, training with The Clever Boys’ first team before turning out for the reserve side that competed in the Multichoice Diski Challenge, where he quickly settled in and made himself a regular. “Training with the first team has given me some insight to the professional world and how they operate, so I’m very grateful for that opportunity. The style of play here at Wits is a bit different to where I come from, but I’m adapting,” he says. “It was a great experience playing in the Diski Challenge. I needed game time after joining the club, and that’s what I got. It was a great platform for me to showcase what I can do.” It was his showing in the PSL Reserve League that attracted attention from Senong, who included him in the squad to take part at the Under-20 continental showpiece, which he has described as a slight disappointment after the team returned with only World Cup qualification to show for their efforts. “It was very difficult competing at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations,” he admits. “I think we were capable of winning it, or at least coming back with a medal, but nonetheless things don’t always go accordingly and it was unfortunate for us not to come home with any medal. “But there’s always room for improvement. I think now the players in the team understand each other
better – how each one plays, makes their runs and marks, so there’s not so much of a gap to bridge between Afcon and the World Cup, but we do need some work here and there.” Amajita have been drawn in Group D (seepage36), alongside Japan, Italy and 2011 runners-up Uruguay, and Mbatha admits they face a difficult task of reaching their intended target of a top-eight finish. However, he banks on his previous World Cup experience to get the team beyond the first hurdle. “It’s a tough group compared to the one at the Under-17 World Cup in Chile – we thought it was an easy draw, but the teams there surprised us, so we have to expect anything this time around,” Mbatha says. “They may undermine us, but we have to play our game and get the required positive results. The lessons I learnt in Chile was not to undermine any country, to play your heart out and do your best on the pitch. It’s important not to think, ‘It’s the first game, we can take it easy’ – no! We have to get to the quarter-finals. “We have to go past the group stage – that’s our first goal because we failed to do that at Under-17 level, and this time around we need to be different and show improvement. “It’s important to remind everyone that the last World Cup we went to, where we lost it [drew one and lost two matches], we have to analyse how we did and the mistakes we made so that we don’t repeat it in South Korea. We have to show a clear improvement and do things better.” Coming from a solid development background, Mbatha is able to play in multiple systems and fulfills multiple roles, and is well aware that arrogance and off-the-field distractions could be detrimental to his growth in the coming years as his career begins to take flight. “Given the circumstances, I enjoy playing a free-role where I’m able to get on the ball more and keep moving. I’m quick on my feet and I’m quick to learn how my teammates around me play, which helps me with my own movement and vision. Provided with the opportunity, I love scoring goals too,” he explains. “It’s very important that I respect the game because it can change for me at any moment, so I need to ensure I remain humble and focussed. I need to keep working hard so that, should I get my opportunity to play at the highest level, I can do my best.” Bearing witness to the meteoric rise of his former school mate Phakamani Mahlambi, the teenager has every reason to believe he could have a similar trajectory and thus takes inspiration from his teammate. Internationally, he takes notes from the likes of Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta and Chelsea winger Willian. “I used to play with Phakamani back at school, he’s a phenominal player, so no doubt I can take heed from his rise. Every time he performs at the top level I’m inspired, and I look up to him,” Mbatha says. “Iniesta and Willian are the kind of players that don’t talk much, they only do their talking on the field. That’s how you separate yourself from being a good player and a great player.”
“THEY MAY UNDERMINE US, BUT WE HAVE TO PLAY OUR GAME.”