Snl24.com | Top 5 Teenagers To Look Out For In The PSL

Youngsters, former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Cassius Mailula, and Olwethu Makhanya formerly with Stellenbosch FC, made moves to the USA after just one season in the PSL. Soccer Laduma ranks the top five teenagers to look out for this season.

1. Thapelo Maseko (19) – Mamelodi Sundowns

Maseko made an immediate impact on his debut for Sundowns off the bench, as he assisted the second goal for Lucas Ribeiro Costa in a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United.

Mokwena says they signed the former SuperSport winger for his pace, something they didn’t have last season and that the speedy forward’s signing “raises the ceiling” at the club.

“This is why we brought him. He gives the team what we didn’t have last season. Sometimes I forget myself that Maseko is only 19, so he’s got a lot of potential and we just have to continue to help him, coach him,” Mokwena told journalists.

“Some teams when they recruit, there are ceiling raisers and floor raisers and I think mainly Lucas (Ribeiro Costa) and Maseko they are the two ceiling raisers for us,” he said.

Shabalala came to the fore for Chiefs in the second-round of the 2022/23 season and new head coach Molefi Ntseki showed trust in him after he named ‘Mdu or Die’ in the starting line-up.

This could be a defining season for the youngster.

Mofokeng (previously known as Ratomo) was introduced to the Pirates senior team by head coach Jose Riveiro towards the end of last season and it speaks volumes about his prospects of game time that he featured off the bench in the Buccaneers’ first game of the season while they were actually trailing against Stellenbosch.

4. Shandre Campbell (18) – SuperSport United

Campbell was handed his first start in a 2-0 win over Richards Bay and had an assist and was Man of the Match.

Head coach Gavin Hunt explained why he handed the young attacker his debut from the start.

“Shandre, I saw him last year, I watched him the whole of last year, he’s got a lot to do still but he’s definitely got the ability but let’s judge people over a period of time, not over one game or two games,” Hunt told journalists.

“In South Africa you have one good game…Let’s judge him over a season or two. (But) good start for the kid, should’ve scored, his work rate is good, he kept the shape. He hasn’t trained with us for two weeks, which is a problem for me but what can I do? He’s at school,” he revealed.

Hunt raised eyebrows with the inclusion of Okon for his debut in the line-up against Richards Bay, in the centre-back position alongside Thulani Hlatshwayo, with new signing Siyanda Xulu having to settle for a place on the bench.

“I thought the boy at the back Ime was exceptional, people said I was mad for giving them their debuts but I believe in what I’m seeing, I’ve been doing it for a long time,” Hunt affirmed after the game.