Over the years, the South African Football Association/ Transnet-Football School of Excellence has produced several stars who have made it on the global stage, including former Everton and Tottenham Hotspur star Steven Jerome Pienaar.
Cape Town City wonderkid Emile Witbooi is making headlines after joining Chelsea for a one-month trial session.
Against his big wins, his former youth academy, Transnet Football School of Excellence, has quickly been implicated in the mix.
BARCELONA’S GREATEST YOUTH ACADEMY GRADUATES
Against Emile Witbooi’s big wins, Transnet Football School of Excellence has been lauded as the La Masia of South Africa.
Barcelona’s Youth Academy—La Masia—has produced a wide array of talent.
Players like Pepe Reina and Mikel Arteta started their youth careers at the youth academy and went on to shine on the global stage.
After all, one can not discuss La Masia without discussing Andreas Iniesta and Xavi’s chapter with the youth academy.
Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique’s stints perfectly picture La Masia’s great stories regarding nurturing football talents.
Barcelona’s star player, Lamine Yamal, has wowed many with his flair and command of the game. The star was recently named among the best in the world.
The Guardian ranked him among the 60 best young talents in the world on Next Next Generation 2024.
Surprisingly, Mamelodi Sundowns star Siyabonga Mabena also made it to the list. His big win convinced many that Transet Football School of Excellence is the La Masia of South Africa.
IS SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE THE NEW LA MASIA OF SOUTH AFRICA?
The youth academy has several recent graduates winning on the pitch. Established the academy in 1994, it has enrolled over 2000 students since its interception.
Against the comparison, The South African dives into some of the current and most prominent products of the Transnet Football School of Excellence.
CAPE TOWN CITY WONDERKID EMILE WITBOOI
Cape Town City wonderkid Emile Witbooi has since been dubbed the next big star from South Africa.
At 16, he seemingly has the world at his feet, and several European clubs have been monitoring his situation, with Chelsea making the first move.
The star recently joined the Premier League outfit after being invited for trials, which will last about four weeks.
Since graduating from the School of Excellence, he has starred for national teams, including the under-15 and under-20.
He was also part of the Uefa U16 International Development Tournament. The Transnet Football School of Excellence graduate has also been part of the star-studded U20 side that won the COSAFA U20.
He has been a menace in the DStv Diski Challenge for the Citizens, and his fine performances have resulted in Chelsea inviting him for a one-month assessment at their U18 side.
ORLANDO PIRATES STAR RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG
In 2022, Relebohile Mofokeng joined Orlando Pirates Youth Academy and was promoted to the senior team a year later.
Since then, he has won big and become the club’s poster boy. In 2023, he hogged headlines after having trials with English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves).
However, the star graduated from the famed Transnet-Football School of Excellence before joining Pirates.
However, he once played for Amandl/Vaal Juventus FC—before joining Orlando Pirates.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STAR SIYABONGA MABENA
Like many other young talents of his time, Siyabonga Mabena is a product of the Transnet School of Excellence.
He was born on 18 February 2000. Siyabonga Mabena’s youth career is little known, except for his stint with Transnet School of Excellence.
However, he later joined Mamelodi Sundowns in 2022 with Relebohile Mofokeng, settling for Orlando Pirates.
After a season, he was promoted to the senior team, having made his debut during a 5-1 win against Royal AM in 2023 during a PSL clash.
Recently, the Transnet Football School of Excellence graduate Siyabonga Mabena was named among the best 60 young players in world football on the Mail & Guardian’s Next Generation 2024.
However, Steven Pienaar, Bernard Parker, Daine Klate, Bryce Moon, and Masilo Modubi are all Transnet Football School of Excellence products.
IS SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE THE BIGGEST YOUTH ACADEMY IN SOUTH AFRICA AT THE MOMENT?
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