Cape Town City are currently assessing an exciting young midfield player from the Major Soccer League.
Jordan Bender, a 20-year-old who played for Orlando City in the USA, is the footballer in question, and has been training with the club since the start of the year.
Bender made his MLS debut in 2020 for the Orlando club, having come through the youth ranks at Orlando, starting in their under-13 team. In fact he was the first Orlando player to graduate to the first team, having first played in the youth before signing a pro contract with the club’s B team in 2018.
Before coming to Cape Town he also had a brief loan spell at Charlotte Independence.
Born in Florida, Bender has represented the USA at under-16 level. However, while he was born in America, the youngster has South African roots, and his grandfather Ian Bender, was a Durban City legend. With City’s foreign slots full, they are likely look to the player to sort out his South African paperwork and play as a local. However that could delay his signing, and Bender may only then join ahead of the next campaign.
Considered a right-winger, he is however capable of playing across the midfield.
City have sold Surprise Ralani to Mamelodi Sundowns, while they also sent Shane Roberts on loan to TS Galaxy, and Douglas Mapfumo was loaned out to Cape Town All Stars. City will also be without Mpho Makola for two months following his ban for his actions at the end of the MTN8 Final when he man-handled referee Abongile Tom.
The club are expected to make a decision about Bender in the near future.
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