Cape Town City have asked 15-year-old Emile Witbooi to train with the first team as the club consider him a superstar in the making, potentially handing the midfielder a debut this season to follow in the footsteps of his father.
Witbooi is the son of former City and Mamelodi Sundowns winger Surprise Ralani, who also spent eight years playing in Sweden and Denmark before joining the Cape Town club in January 2018.
Despite the fact he was already 30 years old, Ralani made 118 appearances for City, scoring 17 goals, and later spent two seasons at Sundowns before a brief spell at Cape Town Spurs in the 2023-24 campaign. He is currently without a club.
And now it is his son who is making waves, with City coach Eric Tinkler inviting the player to train with the first team after he impressed in the DStv Diski Challenge side in the last campaign.
Whether or not that translates into a place in the first team squad for the season remains to be seen, but he is clearly held in high regard.
City are looking to overhaul their squad having made nine new signings already.
They have unveiled former Bafana Bafana midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo, Angolan midfielder Carlinhos, Hasheem Domingo from Raja Casablanca in Morocco, Kayden Francis from Chippa United, Fortune Makaringe from Orlando Pirates, Namibian international Prince Tjiueza, goalkeeper Elson Sithole from Magesi FC, defender Sibusiso Ziba from JDR Stars and youngster Lefa Aphane from Tzaneen United.
The club have sold Brice Ambina to Valerenga in Norway and released another Angolan, Jo Paciencia, Khanya Leshabela, Relebogile Mokhuoane and back-up goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle.
Thabiso Kutumela’s loan spell came to an end and he returned to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he was subsequently released and is currently a free agent.