Orlando Pirates' DStv Diski Challenge coach Joseph Makhanya can't stop singing the praises of his newest recruit, Dimpho Madalane, otherwise fondly known as 'Khalabemgeza'.
Madalane was scouted by the Buccaneers at the Pirates U21 Cup this year playing for eMalahleni United.
He was part of the Pirates first team that was recently on the pre-season camp in Spain.
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On Saturday, the club honored the 17-year-old in his hometown of Mhluzi, Middelburg, by playing against his former teams, Madubaduba FC and eMalahleni United, at a packed Themba Senamela Stadium.
The young left-back is viewed as the next Happy Jele.
"We got him from Pirates Cup. From Pirates Cup, he went to Spain, and he was with our first team, so it tells you there's a bright future ahead of him, not because of favours but because of his potential. Hence, we came to this side also, to see if we can find another talent," Makhanya says, in an exclusive interview with KickOff.
"We have seen something again, so we want to keep the relationship going so kids this side can see there is hope for them. That's something we need to keep.
"Last time we came this side, we fetched Happy Jele, and now we are fetching Dimpho, which tells you Pirates is indeed the people's team.
"We're always looking to find raw talent, regardless [of] whether you are from Soweto or wherever. As long as you have it, we will give you a platform, which is something we are doing with Dimpho.
"He will be actually playing DDC, but coach Jose Riveiro has seen him also, so he will be training with [the] first team because he's got schoolwork he needs to deal with as we want to build a human being and not only a footballer," he goes on.
Makhanya has issued a positive report on the youngster's progress so far and says they hope by the time the DDC season starts he will be raring to go.
"We hope that when DDC starts, he is On the field of play and he improves like the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng. we've seen Mohau Nkota who is close to making his debut [in the first team].
"So, Dimpho as well, as long as he continues working hard, the doors are open. The goalkeeper you see today is training with the first team but playing with DDC. Mohau is training with the first team but playing with DDC, and Dimpho is training with the first team but playing with the DDC.
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"So, we're fast-tracking them so that they get used to the level. The fact that we just scouted him in the Pirates Cup and the club's first team coach immediately takes him to Spain says a lot about Dimpho. It's a clear message.
"His qualities are on how he keeps the ball, he's got defensive qualities, the way he strikes the ball, the way he plays, the way he connects with the play, the understanding of the game, it tells you he's close to being a complete footballer. The future is bright."