Gumede spent his debut professional season on loan at Sivutsa Stars in the First Division, but was recalled by Pirates recently.
The Under-20 captain led Amajita to third place at the 8-Nation International Tournament, scoring the decisive penalty in the shoot-out against Japan that handed South Africa bronze.
"It was a great experience, playing against some of the world's best teams such as Brazil, Ghana, Argentina," he tells the PSL's official website.
"The players were happy with what we achieved. Now we are determined to keep working hard and to try and move through as a group to the Under-23s when the time comes – we have a very good squad and can achieve things if we stay together."
The 18-year-old wore the armband at Sivutsa, leading them clear of the relegation zone in a difficult first season.
"It was my first season playing in one of the higher leagues. It was a really good experience, playing against talented and experienced players. The exposure was great, just what I needed in my career, and credit is due to the Stars management for giving me that opportunity.
"When I played in the second last game of last season, against Atlie, Pirates contacted me after that match and said they wanted me to return to the club. So I'm excited about joining them for training soon. It's a big challenge for me, I know that."
The youngster will have to raise his game in the Premiership, but having been in Bucs development since the tender age of 12 that will not be a new situation.
"Pirates have done very well the last two seasons, winning the Treble [twice – ed]. The squad is full of quality players and I'm going to have to work hard to earn my position. But I trust in myself," he says.
Your comments on this story...
Are u tellin me that this Brandy-fried oke didnt vote in 1994 cos he was two?????
If so...wabuqala emncane utshwala bamgugisa
Bringing in the under graduate of Rooi and Sangwenis
.....
HAHAHAHA!i mst be fired up if um A KHOSI FAN
PIRATES left Mathoho fo an under 20...
Thts show MAthoho is a damn cow
We will never have a Captain that will say "he want African flair," a leader that will fake injury, a leader that will sleep and be scored from the centre line.
I watched this boy, he is 7 times better than cow Matoho. This is the best succession plan ever. Lucky Lekgwathi plays his last season and gives Gumede the jersey.
We must commend them...
He is even better than Mathoho and Gould combined isn't it Necklace hackers??
Comeon Makakaniya this guy is quality, he is far much better than Xulu, Clayton Daniels, Mwanjale, Sweswe, Mashamaite all combined...
please Makakaniya support me on this one.
At the other hand Pirates just bagged the known-by-his-neighbors captain of Sivutsa Stars
Now thts progress???
You already have Ndulula as Drogba
So who is this??? Rio Ferdinand????
At Barcelona there are the likes of Xavi, Inniesta, Fabregas, Alexis, but you still have young players like Thiago, Cuenca et al. This is what we call succession planning. Is is different to having an already established names coz they will complain instead of waiting. Gumede's acquisition is good looking at the age of our defence.
The problem with us South Africans is that sometimes we don't give these younsters chance to develop and adapt. The problem also is coaches who sometimes throw them in the deep end, i.e Drogba Ndulula instead of protecting them.
What i know is that this boy is going to be used only when someone is suspended or injured hence making him a victim of booings from fans. If he can be given a chance maybe on a game we are leading or easy games like against Kaizer Zebras he will adapt easily.