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03 February 2020
CLASS OF 2013
MWENYA CHIBWE - GOALKEEPER
Summary: Chibwe was initially on the books of Platinum Stars and made his debut for the side in their 3-0 victory at Bloemfontein Celtic as an injury replacement for fellow gloveman one Mbongeni Mzimela. He was sent on loan to GaRankuwa United for the 2014/15 season and then moved on to Jomo Cosmos, where he established himself as a regular lastseason under legendary coach Jomo Sono. He had a Man of the Match performance in the 2019 Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash against Baroka FC, and played all three games in Cosmos’ competition. His form won him a move to Polokwane as well as a call-up to the Zambia national team, for who he qualifies through his father.
2014/15: GaRankuwa United (NFD, loan): 18 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2015/16: Platinum Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Platinum Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 1 sub, 0 goals
2017/18: Platinum Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2018/19: Jomo Cosmos (NFD): 23 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2019/20: Polokwane City (PSL): 7 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
JAPHTA MERASE - GOALKEEPER
Summary: Merase spent two seasons in the National First Division but has been clubless since leaving GaRankuwa United in the 2014/15 campaign.
2013/14: United FC (NFD): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2014/15: GaRankuwa United (NFD): 1 start, 1 sub, 0 goals
SINETHEMBA SDEBA - DEFENDER
Summary: Sdeba played in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge for Free State Stars, but did not make a first team appearance. He tried out again in the 2016 edition of the Ke Yona Team campaign.
2013/14: Free State Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2014/15: Free State Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
KYLE DAVIES - DEFENDER
Summary: Davies spent a season on loan at Royal Eagles from Orlando Pirates, but was then released. He had trials with then National First Division side AmaZulu, but signed instead for University of Pretoria. He was on the move again, joining second tier Real Kings in 2017. He featured for them in the Nedbank Cup preliminary round in 2018 year, where they lost 2-1 to Highlands Park. He was a regular for the side last season but battled for game-time in the 2019-20 campaign, which led to a move to the PSL and Lamontville Golden Arrows.
2014/15: Royal Eagles (NFD, loan): 0 starts, 1 sub, 0 goals
2016/17: University of Pretoria (NFD): 1 starts, 4 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: Real Kings (NFD): 22 starts, 4 subs, 0 goals
2018/19: Real Kings (NFD): 18 starts, 4 subs, 0 goals
2019/20: Real Kings (NFD): 1 start, 0 subs, 0 goals
2019/20: Lamontville Golden Arrows (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
CLASS OF 2014
MAPHOSA MODIBA - DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER
Summary: Modiba has been the most successful graduate of the Nedbank Ke Yona Team and became the first former pupil to lift the Nedbank Cup when he won the trophy with SuperSport United in 2017. He can play as a full-back and a winger and having been pushed further forward at Matsatsantsa, has found his eye for goal. He is a national Under-20, Under-23 and senior team player, and is a first team regular for SuperSport. He played at the Olympic Games in 2016 and has featured for Bafana Bafana.
2014/15: Mpumalanga Black Aces (PSL): 0 starts, 2 subs, 0 goals
2015/16: Mpumalanga Black Aces (PSL): 22 starts, 7 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Cape Town City (PSL): 2 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: SuperSport United (PSL): 29 starts, 12 subs, 4 goals
2017/18: SuperSport United (PSL): 32 starts, 1 sub, 8 goals
2018/19: SuperSport United (PSL): 34 starts, 2 subs, 5 goals
2019/20: SuperSport United (PSL): 12 starts, 3 subs, 4 goals
MORGAN VAN ROOYEN - MIDFIELDER
Summary: Van Rooyen spent two seasons at Santos on loan from Maritzburg United, but was released by the Pietermaritzburg-based side at the end of last season. He returned professional football last season, this time with second-tier University of Pretoria, but has since exited the club.
2014/15: Santos (NFD, loan): 5 starts, 2 subs, 0 goals
2015/16: Santos (NFD, loan): 13 starts, 6 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: University of Pretoria (NFD): 2 starts, 1 subs, 0 goals
SINAWO MASANA - STRIKER
Summary: Masana was on loan at National First Division side Mthatha Bucks from Bloemfontein Celtic last season, but moved on to another second-tier side, Cape Town All Stars. He featured for the Mother City side in the preliminary round of the 2018 Nedbank Cup, his first appearance in the competition, but exited the club when the status was sold to form TS Galaxy.
2014/15: Free State Stars (PSL): 5 starts, 5 subs, 0 goals
2015/16: Free State Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 4 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Bloemfontein Celtic (PSL): 1 starts, 3 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Mthatha Bucks (NFD, loan): 3 starts, 6 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: Cape Town All Stars (NFD): 6 starts, 5 subs, 0 goals
SANDILE KUBEKA - MIDFIELDER
Summary: Kubeka had become an important player for ambitious National First Division side Royal Eagles in previous seasons, but had less impact in last year’s campaign due to injury. He did play for the side in the 2018 Nedbank Cup, one of just nine appearances in the season. He moved to second-tier side Richards Bay for the 2018/19 campaign, and helped them shock Free State Stars in the Last 32 last year.
2014/15: Royal Eagles (NFD): 11 starts, 4 subs, 1 goal
2015/16: Royal Eagles (NFD): 23 starts, 2 subs, 1 goal
2016/17: Royal Eagles (NFD): 14 starts, 3 subs, 2 goals
2017/18: Royal Eagles (NFD): 7 starts, 2 subs, 1 goal
2018/19: Richards Bay (NFD): 22 starts, 3 subs, 2 goals
2019/20: Richards Bay (NFD): 10 starts, 2 subs, 0 goals
KHANYA GWALA - DEFENDER
Summary: Gwala was signed by Orlando Pirates after starring for the Nedbank Ke Yona side but spent the last three seasons out on loan before a permanent move to Ubuntu Cape Town. He has mostly played for National First Division side Cape Town All Stars, but did try his luck in the Premier League with University of Pretoria for the first half of the 2015/16 season. He joined FC Cape Town in the January 2017 transfer window and was a regular for them, carrying on with the side as they changed into Ubuntu Cape Town. He has since moved to title-chasing Uthongathi in KwaZulu-Natal.
2014/15: Cape Town All Stars (NFD, loan): 12 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2015/16: University of Pretoria (PSL, loan): 3 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2015/16: Cape Town All Stars (NFD, loan): 13 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Cape Town All Stars (NFD, loan): 4 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: FC Cape Town (NFD, loan): 16 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: Ubuntu Cape Town (NFD): 18 starts, 3 subs, 0 goals
2018/19: Ubuntu Cape Town (NFD): 8 starts, 1 sub, 0 goals
2019/20: Uthongathi (NFD): 1 start, 7 subs, 0 goals
LUTHANDO SIXHASO - GOALKEEPER
Summary: Sixhaso was promoted to the Kaizer Chiefs first team when Itumeleng Khune was out with long-term injury. He received a call-up to the National Under-23 set-up, but was not able to honour it after an injury of his own. He made a couple of appearances on the bench for Chiefs without getting on the pitch and signed on loan for Cape Town All Stars in the National First Division this season. He made his debut for the side in December 2017, keeping a clean-sheet in a 0-0 draw with Highlands Park. He was released by Chiefs in January 2018 and has since played in the second-tier for Cape Town All Stars and TS Galaxy.
2015/16: Kaizer Chiefs (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Kaizer Chiefs (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: Cape Town All Stars (NFD, loan): 1 start, 0 subs, 0 goals
2018/19: TS Galaxy (NFD): 2 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
CLASS OF 2015
IAN CHIKOHWA - STRIKER
Summary: Chikohwa kept his place in the AmaTuks squad when the team was relegated from the Premier League and was a useful campaigner in the second tier. He scored two goals in the last campaign and also netted a goal for the Pretoria-based club in the Nedbank Cup in 2016 as AmaTuks drew 3-3 with SuperSport United, though the side lost in a shoot-out. He was the first Ke Yona product to score a goal in the Nedbank Cup. He played for TS Galaxy in the second-tier earlier this campaign but has since left.
2015/16: University of Pretoria (PSL): 6 starts, 3 subs, 1 goal
2016/17: University of Pretoria (NFD): 10 starts, 2 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: University of Pretoria (NFD): 6 starts, 8 subs, 2 goals
2018/19: TS Galaxy (NFD): 1 start 0 subs, 0 goals
2019/20: Richards Bay (NFD): 1 start 0 subs, 0 goals
JARRED MEYER - DEFENDER
Summary: Meyer was signed by Jomo Cosmos for their MultiChoice Diski Challenge side but left the club when they were relegated to the National First Division at the
end of the 2015/16 season.
2015/16: Jomo Cosmos (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
THAMSANQA GWABENI - DEFENDER
Summary: Gwabeni initially made good strides at Platinum Stars, but battled for first team football and left the side when their status was sold at the end of the 2017/18 season. The team’s struggles curtailed his opportunities, and he did not feature at all in 2017/18. He found a new home at promoted NFD side Steenberg United, but has played only once this season.
2015/16: Platinum Stars (PSL): 1 start, 4 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Platinum Stars (PSL): 2 starts, 4 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: Platinum Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2019/20: Steenberg United (NFD): 1 start, 0 subs, 0 goals
RICARDO VERSUUR - DEFENDER
Summary: Versuur took a while to make his way into the professional ranks but was a regular for National First Division side Super Eagles. He has since moved to top-flight Highlands Park for the 2018/19 campaign, before a switch to TS Sporting for 2019-20. The right-back is one of the few players from the Northern Cape to make it to the big-time. He played for Eagles in the preliminary round of the 2018 Nedbank Cup.
2017/18: Super Eagles (NFD): 30 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2018/19: Highlands Park (PSL): 2 starts, 4 subs, 0 goals
2019/20: TS Sporting (NFD): 11 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
CLASS OF 2016
JEREMIAH NKWANA - MIDFIELDER
Summary: Nkwana played for the University of Pretoria¹s MultiChoice Diski Challenge side but is no longer part of the squad.
2015/16: University of Pretoria (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
BONGANI MBULI - DEFENDER
Summary: Centre-back Mbuli, the captain of the 2016 Nedbank Ke Yona side, joined high-flying Bidvest Wits on a two-year deal, but in January 2017 was released to sign for Cape Town All Stars in the National First Division, making his debut the following month. He moved on to Free State-based Super Eagles, where he was a regular before the club’s relegation, also scoring his first goal in the last campaign.
2016/17: BidVest Wits (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2016/17: Cape Town All Stars (NFD): 1 starts, 4 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: Super Eagles (NFD): 28 starts, 0 subs, 4 goals
2018/19: Free State Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
AKHONA MANQOLA - DEFENDER
Summary: Manqola did not receive a club to train with after the draft picks following the 2016 Ke Yona Team campaign, but won a contract at National First Division side Cape Town All Stars, who he joined in 2016. He held down a regular spot in their first team in the second half of the season, but was released at the end
of the campaign.
2016/17: Cape Town All Stars (NFD): 3 starts, 6 subs, 0 goals
CLASS OF 2017
BONGANI SAM - DEFENDER
Summary: Left-back Sam was signed by Bloemfontein Celtic last season but was loaned out to National First Division side Highlands Park. He made his debut for the latter in a 0-0 draw with Cape Town All Stars in December 2017. He returned to Celtic and was a revelation for the side last season, winning a move to Orlando Pirates for the 2019-20 campaign. He also played for South Africa at the 2019 COSAFA Cup.
2017/18: Highlands Park (NFD, loan): 7 starts, 2 subs, 1 goal
2018/19: Bloemfontein Celtic (PSL): 23 starts, 2 subs, 2 goals
2019/20: Orlando Pirates (PSL): 2 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
KAMOGELO MOGOTLANE - DEFENDER
Summary: Centre-back Mogotlane, who was skipper of the 2017 Nedbank Ke Yona Team, was been signed by Premier League Cape Town City on an 18-month deal after impressing coach Benni McCarthy on trial. Tipped as one of the future, he went on loan to Cape Town All Stars in the National First Division last season but did not play a single game despite six appearances on the bench.
2017/18: Cape Town City (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2017/18: Cape Town All Stars (NFD): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2018/19: Cape Town City (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
MDUDUZI KHUMALO - GOALKEEPER
Summary: Goalkeeper Khumalo had trials at Orlando Pirates but it was Free State Stars who moved for his signature, offering him a two-and-a-half year deal at the club. He was in goals when the Ke Yona Team were beaten 2-1 by SuperSport United in September, but impressed with a number of fine saves. He was released by Stars at the end of the 2017/18 season.
2017/18: Free State Stars (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
THABANG XIMBA - FORWARD
Summary: Ximba joined Free State Stars at the start of the 2019-20 National First Division season after the club were relegated from the top-flight. He made his debut off the bench against Mbombela United in August 2019.
2019/20: Free State Stars (NFD): 0 starts, 2 subs, 0 goals
CLASS OF 2018
AXOLILE KAPO - MIDFIELDER
Summary: Kapo signed a deal with new National First Division side Steenberg United at the start of the 2019-20 season, but to date has yet to make his debut despite several appearances on the bench.
2019/20: Steenberg United (NFD): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
JEREMIAH MATHONSI - MIDFIELDER
Summary: Mathonsi signed for Nedbank Cup champions TS Galaxy at the start of the 2019-20 National First Division season and made his debut against Moroka Swallows in October 2019. He had been drafted for trials with SuperSport United.
2019/20: TS Galaxy (NFD): 11 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
LUNATHI MDATYULWA - MIDFIELDER
Summary: The highly-rated youngster signed a three-year contract with Chippa United but did not feature for the first team and was released in January 2019. He was snapped up by former Nedbank Ke Yona Team selector Shakes Mashaba for his Witbank Spurs side but the team were relegated from the NFD at the end of the last campaign.
2018/19: Chippa United (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2018/19: Witbank Spurs (NFD): 2 starts, 7 subs, 0 goals
CLASS OF 2019
THULANI CELE - FORWARD
Summary: Cele scored for the Nedbank Ke Yona Team in their 2-1 loss to TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Challenge game in 2019, and was subsequently snapped up by Premier Soccer League side AmaZulu.
2019/20: AmaZulu (PSL): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
2019/20: TS Sporting (NFD): 0 starts, 0 subs, 0 goals
THABISO LEBITSO - MIDFIELDER
Summary: Lebitso previously played for the Tshwane University of technology and actually appeared in the 2019 Nedbank Cup for them before making it into the Ke Yona Team. The winger has been signed by Chippa United and made his debut against Polokwane City in January 2020.
2019/20: Chippa United (PSL): 0 starts, 1 sub, 0 goals
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.