The name Siyabonga Mabena has been on the lips of many a South African fan so far this week, after the 16-year-old’s Mamelodi Sundowns debut.
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Mabena came on as a substitute to make his first team bow for Sundowns in an empathic 5-1 victory over Royal AM on Tuesday.
Mabena joined from School of Excellence.
Mabena, however, has not been at Sundowns for all that long, in fact, the bulk of his development thus far has come from the Transnet School of Excellence. It is then from the School of Excellence that he found himself playing for the South African U17 side, where he ultimately announced himself as a hot junior prospect, and earning a big move to the ‘Brazilians’ academy.
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Mabena was the star man of the COSAFA U17 Cup last year, winning the Golden Boot award at the tournament, despite not being able to help South Africa beat hosts Zambia in the final. But he had certainly done enough on a personal level, with a hatrick against Malawi as well as five goals against the Seychelles enough to prove his prowess as a hot marksman. It was then no surprise that Sundowns came calling the School of Excellence for his services.
Sundowns had to battle Pirates for him
But Sundowns were not the only DStv Premiership giant that was interested in signing Mabena, with Orlando Pirates also said to have been hot on his heels. In fact, it appears that it was touch and go between the two sides in the end, and according to goal.com. Ka Bo Yellow had to make a sacrifice in order to beat the Buccaneers to the play’s signature.
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“Mabena was once the subject of a transfer tug of war between Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, with the Buccaneers keen to recruit the starlet to their own ranks. In the end, Sundowns had to sacrifice the promising Relebohile Ratomo, who joined the Bucs’ academy, while they managed to keep hold of Mabena.” The publication reveals.
Is he better placed at Downs?
As things stand, Sundowns will have every right to feel as if they made the right decision, but it will ultimately be determined by how the player is nurtured at the club. Judging from the rise of Cassius Mailula though, Mabena looks to be in good hands, sorry Pirates!
