Cape Town City assistant coach Lebogang Manyama has expressed delight at Emile Witbooi who produced a masterclass in the Cape Derby on Sunday.
Manyama took charge of the post-match interviews after Cape Town City won the Cape Derby against Hope FC in the absence of head coach Andries Ulderink who was reported to be sick. The Citizens comfortably won the match 2-0 with goals from Witbooi and Cheswyn Philander.
Witbooi was the main talking point in the Cape Derby after scoring the first goal and providing an assist for the second goal.
Manyama was left speechless after that great performance. The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder asked the country to protect the 18-year-old and try to let him enjoy his football.
“I could write a book about Emile, but at the end of the day, this is just a 17-year-old who just turned 18. Because we forget that he had a lot of fun today. When he’s at that level, we are better for sure,” Manyama told the media.
“Any team is better when he’s at that level, but we also try to protect him, and we know how good he is, but we also very well know how good he can be and we try to show him what a super-fit, physically and mentally focused Emile can do, as you saw in that first half. And, of course, later on, he struggles a little bit, but the boy is just 18.
“I think we should also, as a country, protect these kids. Stay away from all these things we try to involve in transfers and stuff; let the teams deal with that. Because once he gets to his head, then you don’t get to see what he did in the 1st half, because he focused on those things. Then we lose him. This kid needs to play every week.
“You know, he needs to focus on just football, and we protect him because for me, look, I’ve played with a lot of players, but I’ve seen a few that are just naturally like him, you know? And we have to protect him, but also, we try to teach him to be responsible that he has to know that this game requires quality on both ends, on and off the ball.
“And you can see, it’s difficult for him sometimes to come back because of the actions that he makes, but look, he makes the effort, and we’re quite happy with him coming back six times out of 10, making the effort. I think he’ll get better with time. But yeah, I mean, I cannot put Emile into words. For me. He’s just crazy.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.