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Pirates' youngest debutants in last decade

football04 June 2020 05:30| © Backpage TXT
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Lyle Foster © Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates have been boosted by the emergence of several young talents in the last decade.

The Soweto giants have had many players make their debuts as teenagers in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era.

Senzo Meyiwa, Happy Jele and Andile Jali are some of the players, who played their maiden professional matches for Bucs as teenagers over the years.

The Buccaneers have proved that they are never shy of giving talented prospects a chance in competitive games.

We take a look at Pirates' youngest PSL debutants in the last 10 years:

SIPHUMELELE MBULU – 19 YEARS 4 MONTHS AND 11 DAYS

The central midfielder played his maiden competitive match for Bucs against Free State Stars on the final day of the 2017/18 season.

Having been nurtured in the Pirates academy, Mbulu made his debut aged 19 years 4 months and 11 days as Bucs secured a 2-1 win at the Orlando Stadium.

Mbulu then spent the following campaign out on loan at Witbank Spurs, who were campaigning in the National First Division (NFD) at the time.

The former South Africa under-20 international is currently with Pele Pele FC which is the Pirates feeder team campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League (Gauteng).

THABISO MONYANE – 19 YEARS 3 MONTHS AND 4 DAYS

The defender-cum-midfielder is in his debut season in the PSL and he has caught the eye with his ability to play as a right-back and winger.

Monyane, who is also a Pirates academy product, made his debut aged 19 years 3 months and 4 days against Bloemfontein Celtic on 3 August 2019.

The South Africa under-23 international started for the Buccaneers as they thrashed Phunya Sele Sele 3-1 at the Orlando Stadium.

Monyane has since made 14 appearances across all competitions and he has been lauded as the best right-back in the country by coach Rhulani Mokwena.

“At that age not feeling any pressure and expressing himself the way he is expressing himself and he is enjoying his football it’s unbelievable," Mokwena said.

“Kudos to Orlando Pirates and the youth academy for identifying him and developing him because he is a top player. I think [he is] the best right-back in the country at the moment."

LYLE FOSTER – 17 YEARS 0 MONTHS AND 12 DAYS

The young striker is considered to be one of South Africa's most talented up-and-coming youngsters having been nurtured in the Pirates academy.

When Foster made his debut against Maritzburg United on 15 September 2017, he became Pirates' youngest PSL debutant in history.

Foster was aged 17 years and 12 days as he came on as a substitute in an encounter which ended in a goalless draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

The lanky marksman was signed by former French Ligue 1 champions AS Monaco in January 2019 and he is currently on loan at Belgium's Cercle Brugge.

AUGUSTINE MAHLONOKO – 16 YEARS 11 MONTHS AND 18 DAYS

The exciting attacking midfielder holds the record as Pirates' youngest-ever player in PSL history having played his first professional match last season.

Mahlonoko was only 16 years 11 months and 18 days when he came on as a substitute against Highlands Park on 4 August 2018.

The Bucs academy product broke Foster's record as Pirates' youngest PSL debutant and he made three more appearances for the team in the same season.

Mahlonoko is yet to feature for the Buccaneers' first-team this season and he is also part of the Pirates feeder team, Pele Pele FC.

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