Emile’s star continues to rise
FOLLOWING in his father’s boots seems to have come naturally for Emile Amoreece Witbooi, the son of renowned Mamelodi Sundowns star Surprise Ralani.
The young footballer is making waves in the soccer fraternity and has been for a while, even from a remarkably young age. Born on August 29, 2008, in Kimberley, Witbooi has captured the attention of scouts from top clubs, with English Premiership side Manchester United reportedly monitoring his progress closely.
Witbooi’s soccer journey began on the dusty streets of Barkly Road in Kimberley, where he resided with his mother Avril Witbooi and his family. It was there that his passion for the beautiful game ignited, and at the age of 10, he began his soccer career under the watchful eyes of coach Kagisho ‘Spondosie’ Matile, known for his keen eye for spotting young talent.
In 2015, Witbooi’s skills caught the attention of local teams, and he soon found himself playing for Tshwaraganyo All-Stars. It was clear to see that the young prodigy possessed immense talent that needed nurturing.
The following year, he was recognised as the best signing player, and the year after that, he scooped the Player of the Year and Top Goal Scorer awards, securing a spot in the Local Football Association to represent his province.
Witbooi’s star continued to rise, and two years later, he was crowned the Player of the Tournament at the prestigious Surprise Ralani Tournament.
In August 2021, he impressed the coaches during trials at Kaizer Chiefs, earning an invitation for another trial. Another opportunity presented itself when he showcased his abilities at the Transnet School of Excellence trials, leaving the coaches thoroughly impressed. Personally invited in November, Witbooi returned for the final trials in January this year, where out of 80 participants, he emerged successful and passed the fitness assessment.
Since joining the Transnet School of Excellence in January 2022, Witbooi has gone from strength to strength. In October that year, he represented Gauteng Province in the OR Tambo Sonicini Social Cohesion Games.
His exceptional talent further caught the attention of overseas teams when he participated in a tournament in Poland from March 27 to April 1, 2023, representing South Africa. Witbooi’s outstanding performances led him to be named Player of the Tournament, sparking interest from Manchester United and Mamelodi Sundowns upon his return.
Adding to his growing list of accolades, Witbooi recently participated in the SAFA TDS Tournament for Under-15s earlier this month, representing the Transnet School of Excellence.
Notably, he achieved the coveted titles of Player of the Tournament, Midfielder of the Tournament, and Top Goal Scorer, showcasing his versatility and skill on the field.
In recognition of his exceptional abilities, Emile Witbooi has also been selected to represent the South Africa Under-15 National Team, cementing his status as one of the most promising young talents in the country.
As Witbooi continues his journey and pursues his dreams in soccer, he remains devoted to honing his skills and hopes that the Transnet School of Excellence will nurture his football career, helping him achieve his ultimate goals.
With scouts and top clubs vying for his signature, it is evident that Emile Amoreece Witbooi is a name to watch out for in the soccer wires. One thing seems certain, the future holds great promise for this talented young star.