By Joshua Hendricks. Images: Ayanda Ndamane
WHEN Mamelodi Sundowns U16 were crowned Kapstadt Cup Champions 2022, it was captain Khumo Mokoele who led them to victory. CapeAt6Sport journalist Joshua Hendricks catches up with the midfield marvel to find out more.
Mamelodi Sundowns U16 captain Khumo Mokoele is a marvel to watch as he plays in the heart of the midfield – and he proved it over the weekend, as the under 16 KaboYellow outfit were crowned Kapstadt Cup Champions after beating the hosts by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.
“I feel very good,” Khumo Mokoele told CapeAt6Sport. “It was a great experience away from home, a different atmosphere. It was a great one, and I enjoyed myself.”
The Kapstadt Cup 2022 brought together over 1000 players from 120 teams in 10 age groups from dozens of Cape Town-based football clubs (and a few others). But even amongst all that, this young man stood out, for his ability to do such a variety of things on the field of play. His skill set allows him to pass, execute take-ons and receive the ball in brave positions.
And those skills were definitely tested over the course of the tournament.
“Well in the beginning it wasn’t as difficult,” he remarks. “But as the tournament went on, we came up against Stellenbosch in the semifinals, and we were tested. And the final was another good contest.”
Having been with Masandawana for the past eight years, Khumo speaks briefly about the things they are taught from a young age.
“I’ve been with Sundowns since the age of eight or nine,” he says .”The development programme is really good. The type of football they teach us is excellent, Sundowns is known as a Tiki-taka possession game team. It’s just great football.”
For Coach Lunga Nobela, the tournament was a way of preparing for next season, but that doesn’t mean the victory is any less meaningful – especially since it’s been a long time coming.
“This is our third time participating and it’s our first time winning it,” he says. “It’s a joy for us because we’ll be going home with two trophies: for under 12; and now under 16, too. We came for what we were looking for.”
Edited by Nicklaus Kruger
