Former Orlando Pirates dribbling wizard Mark Mayambela believes Cape Town City starlet Emile Witbooi can become even better than Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng.
Witbooi, 17, spent the past season playing in the second tier with Cape Town City, following their relegation from the Betway Premiership at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
In 2024, he was invited for trials by English Premier League giants Chelsea, but the club didn’t sign him.
Mayambela, who has previously coached Witbooi, says the talented attacker can surpass some of Mofokeng’s abilities and perhaps with talent in general.
“For me, I know it’s gonna sound not so great to many people, I think he can surpass Rele in terms of ability, talent and in terms of the brain of football,” said Mayambela during the interview with SNAWA on Metro FM.
“Obviously, I don’t know Rele that much but I saw Emile. I coached him a few moments, I saw him at training, I saw him during games. For me, he is a special talent, these players don’t come every time in South African football. So, for us, we must take care of this talent.
“I think also, I don’t think he’s gonna play in the PSL, I think he’s gonna go to Europe. He has that mindset that he wants to play in Europe, in a biggest stage and it’s gonna help him and the country.”
‘Size Doesn’t Matter’
Mayambela added that Witbooi’s small size isn’t an issue, given that he can think and move faster than the opponents.
“No, he has the big brain. He thinks quickly, he’s quicker than any player,” he added.
“He went to Chelsea, I heard they wanted to sign him. And he was playing against bigger players.
“You won’t touch him even when you’re physically or strong. You don’t come close to him, he thinks two, three steps ahead before he receives the ball, how he receives, the spaces he gets into and the body poacher he has when he receives.
“The first touch, front foot, back foot, it’s difficult to for you to come close to him. Like Rele, you can say the same with him.”