Young, gifted and in PSL

● Siyabonga Mabena caused a stir when he announced his arrival in the top flight professional scene with a debut at 16 years in the 51 drubbing of Royal AM.

A goal in the 3-1 defeat of Stellenbosch confirmed a star was born.

But the teenager has battled to nail down a place in the star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns. Instead, Relebohile Mofokeng, three years Mabena’s senior, is lording it at Orlando Pirates.

Though the left-winger has a return of three goals and five assists in 23 league matches, Mofokeng has made it difficult for Jose Riverio to leave him on the bench.

It is the manner in which the Sharpevilleborn boy is able to impact and influence the outcome of matches with a fearless approach in taking on defenders. He has developed a fruitful, and almost seamless, understanding with the league’s top goal scorer Tshegofatso Mabasa.

The duo feed off each other, with School of Excellence graduate Mofokeng’s trickery enough to support Mabasa’s fine finishing.

The 19-year-old Mofokeng, signed ahead of the 2022-23 season, enjoys the full backing of Bucs’ coach Jose Riverio and is blooming under the guidance of the Spaniard. “He is a talented player, he understands football very well. He needs to improve,” he said.

“He is a very young player who still needs to understand other things that are related to the game.

“Sometimes talent is not everything, but he is working hard.”

Down the winelands way, Jayden Adams, who turned 23 last week, has been pivotal in Stellenbosch’s remarkable run in the league. His return of three goals and six assists from 23 games speaks of a youngster with potential to blossom.

Similarly, Oswin Appollis of Polokwane City has netted five goals and contributed three assists from 26 games.

Worst of the lot

Cape Town Spurs sent their “Save Our Souls” to Ernst Middendorp a tad late. The experienced German mentor will not be able to work his relegation escaping heroics for which he became a master at Maritzburg United.

Instead, it is coaching novice Musa Nyatama who is helping Moroka Swallows pull a Houdini from the dreaded axe. Nyatama has chalked up impressive results, a credible draw against the indefatigable Sundowns and the high-flying Stellenbosch.