Youngest and oldest in the Betway Premiership Football is a game for young and old and we see some veteran stars take to the stage in the new Betway Premiership season, along with some of the brightest young talents in the local game.
Ahead of kick-off on 14 September, and with the transfer window still open, we list the oldest and youngest players who are currently attached to Betway Premiership clubs. It is no surprise that goalkeepers dominate the list of oldest players, with the most senior outfield player among confirmed squads being 36-year-old Bradley Grobler at SuperSport United. Grobler will be 37 in January.
THE OLDEST
Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Born: May 15, 1985 (39)
The veteran gloveman is still playing for Sundowns and providing backup for Ronwen Williams, having already been pressed into service this season. However, that performance ended in a red card in the 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8. He is also the holder of the record for most domestic league titles with a whopping 11 … and counting. The Ugandan is now in his 19th season in South Africa, having started at SuperSport United, where he also won the league, and had a loan spell at Mpumalanga Black Aces. He has been at Sundowns since 2011.
Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants)
Born: August 29, 1985 (39)
Arubi is just three months or so younger than Onyango but is still going strong with Marumo Gallants, where he will hope to be the number one between the sticks on their return to the top flight. He has been doing so well that he has received a recall to the Zimbabwe national team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this week.
Hugo Nyamé (Royal AM)
Born: April 16, 1986 (38)
It is assumed Nyame will still be with Royal AM this season seeing as they cannot sign any new keepers with the FIFA ban that has been imposed on them. The Cameroon international has been with the club since its previous incarnations as Royal Eagles back in the 2017-18 season and has been a loyal servant throughout the years. He started 18 of their 30 league games last season.
THE YOUNGEST
Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City)
Born: August 28, 2008 (16)
The uber-talented son of former Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns winger Surprise Ralani, there has been a lot of buzz around Witbooi in recent months after he starred in the Diski Challenge competition last season. He is currently scoring and creating goals for the South African Under-17 side in a six nations tournament in the Ivory Coast, but is expected to be looked at by City coach Eric Tinkler in this campaign, having spent pre-season with the first team squad.
Joseph Maphaga (Sekhukhune United)
Born: September 22, 2007 (16)
Maphaga played for third-tier Highlands Park against Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup last season and impressed so much he was signed by the Limpopo club. The winger might have to bide his time for a first-team place but has a big future in the game.
Lucky Muthewi (SuperSport United)
Born: February 25, 2007 (17)
The youngster made his debut for SuperSport last season when he came on for another teenager, Shandre Campbell in a 3-1 Nedbank Cup win over Richards Bay. He had just past his 17th birthday and in all made five appearances. He also appeared in the first game of the new campaign for Matsatsantsa in the MTN8, when he came off the bench. Coach Gavin Hunt obviously sees a role for him this campaign.