Exceptional talent found at the Mamelodi Sundowns Development Camp

Mamelodi Sundowns development coach, Rhulani Mokoena, believes the future looks bright for Bafana Bafana.  This is based on the exceptionally skilled players, scouted at the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup  national finals, currently in a camp put on by the Club.

“I want to commend my team of scouts for their selection as all 22 boys that are  here have the potential to make the Bafana Bafana team one day.  There are no exceptions,” said Mokoena.  “From the first day I could tell that they were technically skilled so we focused on the mental side and their overall understanding of the game,” said Mokoena. “There they lack a little bit, but that’s a common mistake that all players have - a lack of applying their mental game onto the field.”

The squad has played 2 games so far. They beat a Nike Chance team 3-0, and drew 0-0 with the Sundowns u-19 Academy team (Clapham High School). “That’s not a bad result considering the fact that they have never played as team before,” says Mokoena. “I can name a few boys that have caught everyone’s  attention here . Tani Mpusana-Louis Botha, Jason Skippers of-Cloetesville High School, Lugiano Knopp of Okiep High School and Reginald Tsoela of Harmony are all quality players who could well be playing in the PSL soon.

“It’s difficult to speak of major improvements in a few days as more than a week is needed to improve a player’s skills. Our main goal for the camp was to target specific techniques, team work and communication with fellow players and the mental aspect of the game.  These boys are so used to their way of doing things, but they now know what is expected of them and I know that they will carry what we taught them forever.”

This was endorsed by Gian De Jongh of Okiep High School in the Northern Cape.  “What I have learnt from this one week has impacted my game for ever.  Perhaps the most enlightening lesson is how to better position myself on the field.  Sometimes players don’t know where they are supposed to be when a game is in play, and that’s where mistakes tend to happen. You need to optimize your position without slacking off on your duties.”

It’s also been about making friends and De Jongh says he has got to know Kabelo Mabesa more as a friend than a team mate. “We talk about anything and our friendship will continue even after the camp,” he said.  “I know that I will go back home as a different player, I am sure that I will pass it on to my mates that didn’t get the opportunity to come along.”

For Reginald Tsoela he saw the camp as an opportunity to promote his soccer career.  “I would love to play for Sundowns and give them back what they have given me this week.  As a striker you need to be able to make the field work for you.  I learnt so much about creating spaces and opportunities to score goals.  To help with our mental approach they took us out of our comfort zones and I learnt that I can play comfortably in the midfield and centre back.”

Most of the players that attended the camp have just completed Grade 12 and Sundowns has invited all the local Clubs to attend the games and see if they are interested in signing up some of the players.  “I wish we could sign up all the players, but we will only be looking at three or four signing and hopefully the other Clubs will sign up the rest,” said Mokoena

Ofentse Motlhanke	GK	Louis Botha
Junaid Stevens ( PM )	GK	KZN
Tani Mpusana	Defender	Louis Botha
Kabelo Mabesa	Defender	Harmony
Mandla Masangane	Defender	Harmony
Lugiano Knopp	Defender	Okiep
Samkelo Nkosi	Defender	East High
Gian De Zongh	Midfielder	Okiep
Elton Kapinga	Midfielder	Benny Sports
Thabiso Mothijang	Defender	Louis Botha
Ernest Mabathoana	Midfielder	Louis Botha
Khuliso Mudau	Midfielder	Benny Sports
Victor Noosi	Midfielder	Harmony
Reginald Tsoela	Striker	Harmony
Muzi Thabotha	Striker	East High
Bojosi Manjoe	Striker	East High
Fumani Mathebula	Striker	Eric Nxumalo
Molefi Gaobudiwe	Midfielder	Freedom
Jason Skippers	Midfielder	Cloetesville
Angelo Van Rooyen ( PM )	Striker	Rietvale High
Sive Klauhse	Midfielder	Executive Academy
Tshepo mskgopela	Defender/MD	TUKS