Kaizer Chiefs‘ DStv Diski Challenge head coach Vela Khumalo has admitted that the club missed a chance on signing Cape Town City teenage sensation Emile Witbooi.
The 18-year-old scored in the final of the U/20 COSAFA Cup final as Amajita defeated Mozambique 4-2.
Witbooi has been linked to several team including Chiefs‘ rivals Orlando Pirates. It was also reported that the teenager was training with the Bayern Munich youth team during pre-season.
Khumalo, who worked with Witbooi before, said he didn’t see the quality of the player when he was at Chiefs.
“Even though I was not necessarily involved, I think Emile now who was with me at the national team. The World Cup he was with me,” he said on the Arena Sport Show with host Mahlatse Mphahlele.
“When he came to the club he was coming for U13 back then, so we couldn’t see much from him at that time.
“Then later on, we said he was once here. Emile was once with us. I remember he came for assessment, but he was very, very young.
“Later on, I asked Walter Steenbok [Technical Director at the time], I said, ‘man we need to bring this boy back again’ and he said, ‘no you guys didn’t take him, so, he’s gone now’.
“I took it with a bit of a pinch of salt.”
Witbooi got away from Kaizer Chiefs
It seems unlikely that Amakhosi will sign the talented attacker now that he has attracted offers from Europe. Despite playing in the lower division, Witbooi is the most sought after teenager in South Africa.