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23 January 2020
One of the great success stories in South African football over the previous seven years has been the Nedbank Ke Yona Team campaign, which has seen numerous players win professional contracts having used the platform to shine. As many as nine of those could be involved in the 2020 Nedbank Cup Last 32 with their various clubs appearing at this stage of the competition, adding another chapter to their careers that were given a vital boost by Nedbank. Here is the list of those that could feature in February’s matches
KE YONA TEAM OF 2013
MWENYA CHIBWE | Position: Goalkeeper Club: Polokwane City Nedbank Cup appearances/goals: 3/0
Chibwe has been one of the great success stories of the Nedbank Ke Yona Team having bided his time at Platinum Stars before making his breakthrough in the big-time and earning a call-up to the Zambia national team. He was also courted by Bafana Bafana, but chose to represent the land of his father, despite being born in South Africa. He has been sharing the goalkeeper duties with Zimbabwe international Geworge Chigova at Polokwane City this season and could well get a run in their Nedbank Cup last 32 clash at home to local rivals Baroka FC. He has so far made 49 appearances in South African domestic football.
KYLE DAVIES | Position: Defender Club: Real Kings Nedbank Cup appearances/goals: 1/0
Davies had been a stalwart at GladAfrica Championship side Real Kings in the last two seasons, but has found the going tougher this campaign. He was previously on the books of Royal Eagles and University of Pretoria, having also drawn interest from Orlando Pirates after his displays with the Ke Yona Team. Kings will take on third-tier Passion FC from Mpumalanga in the Nedbank Cup Last 32.
KE YONA TEAM OF 2014
MAPHOSA MODIBA | Position: Midfielder Club: SuperSport United Nedbank Cup appearances goals: 7/1
The biggest star to emerge from the Ke Yona Team to date, Modiba is now among the most admired players in the Premier Soccer League, with Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admitting he wanted to sign him this month. But SuperSport were not allowed to let their prized asset go and instead have signed him to a new contract, and he will now face Sundowns in the Last 32 this year. Since starring for the Ke Yona Team, he has scored in and won the Nedbank Cup, played at the Olympic Games and become a full Bafana Bafana international. Modiba lifted the Nedbank Cup in 2017, playing in the final as SuperSport defeated Orlando Pirates 4-1.
KHANYA GWALA | Position: Defender Club: Uthongathi Nedbank Cup appearances goals: 2/0
Gwala has spent most of his career in the GladAfrica Championshipsince making his professional debut in the 2014/15 campaign, but did have a brief spell with then top-flight University of Pretoria. He joined promotion-chasing Uthongathi at the start of this season and will hope to star for them in their Nedbank Cup Last 32 debut against Highlands Park.
KE YONA TEAM OF 2015
RICARDO VERSUUR | Position: Defender Club: TS Sporting Nedbank Cup appearances goals: 3/0
Versuur is campaigning with GladAfrica Championship side TS Sporting this season, but was previously in the top-flight with Highlands Park. He got his breakthrough at then second-tier Super Eagles in the 2017/18 campaign, but after one season at Highlands was snapped up by Sporting. He will travel with his side to Ajax Cape Town for their Last 32 clash.
KE YONA TEAM OF 2017
BONGANI SAM|Position: Defender Club: Orlando Pirates Nedbank Cup appearances goals: 4/1
Sam joined Soweto giants Orlando Pirates at the start of the season and has had to work hard for game-time, but may see their Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash against BidVest Wits as a chance to stake his claim. He made his professional debut at then second-tier Highlands Park in the 2017/18 season, before an excellent campaign with Bloemfontein Celtic last year. He joined a select group of Ke Yona Team players to score in the Nedbank Cup when he netted for Celtic against Lamontville Golden Arrows in 2019. His performances also won him a call-up for the national team at the COSAFA Cup last year.
KE YONA TEAM OF 2018
JEREMIAH MATHONSI | Position: Midfielder Club: TS Galaxy Nedbank Cup appearances goals: 0/0
Mathonsi joined Nedbank Cup champions TS Galaxy at the start of this season so was not there when they claimed the trophy in 2019. He has made steady progress with the team and will hope to make his debut in the Nedbank Cup when they travel to Chippa United in the Last 32.
KE YONA TEAM OF 2019
THULANI CELE | Position: StrikerClub: TS Sporting Cup appearances goals: 0/0
Cele was snapped up by Premier League AmaZulu following his displays with the 2019 Ke Yona Team, but will spend the second half of the season on loan at second-tier TS Sporting. He has yet to make his debut for his new side, but that could well come in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 clash away at Ajax Cape Town.
THABISO LEBITSO | Position: Striker Club: Chippa United Nedbank Cup appearances goals: 0/0
Lebitso made his Premier League debut for Chippa United earlier this month having joined the club in the January transfer window. He will also hope to make his Nedbank Cup bow when the Chilli Boyz entertain TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup Last 32
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.