DStv Diski Challenge youngsters will get a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with the Premiership big boys in the Carling Cup at The New Peter Mokaba Stadium this Saturday, 6 January 2024.
Five Diski Challenge players will be in the starting eleven for Carling All-Stars when they take on Stellenbosch FC.
Kaizer Chiefs dribbling wizard Mfundo Vilakazi and Orlando Pirates Diski Challenge captain Jabu Mokone are the notable names in the squad. The other three players are Masibonge Ngidi, Siphamandla Zikhali of AmaZulu and right midfielder, Kagiso Mnguni of Pirates.
The five youngsters were voted by the fans to be part of the All-Stars team.
Usuthu youngster Sphamandla Zikhali will pair with Chiefs fan-favorite midfielder Edson Castillo.
Zikhali said he is going there to play his normal football without any pressure.
“I’m happy that fans voted for me, it says a lot. As much as the team (AmaZulu) is not doing well in the Diski Challenge but, they saw something special in me and I will not disappoint them,” stated the soft-spoken Zikhali.
“This is a big opportunity for us, a lot of people will be watching, and we will have to use it. Saturday's game will not be easy, but we will be up for the Challenge. We all know that if we do well, we might find ourselves joining our respective first teams. We just need to go there and do our best.”
The match would be a warm-up match for these youngsters as the Diski Challenge is scheduled to kick off next weekend with a festival that will be hosted at Tsakane Stadium.
Carling All-Star XI:
GK: Itumeleng Khune
RB: Jabulani Mokone
CB: Ramahlwe Mphahlele
CB: Njabulo Ngcobo
LB: Masibonge Ngidi
RW: Kagiso Mnguni
CM: Siphamandla Zikhali
CM: Phillip Ndlondlo
LW: Mfundo Vilakazi
ST: Victor Letsoalo
ST: Ashley du Preez