KZN talent signs for Portuguese football giants
A boy from Ulundi has signed his first professional contract, as a football player, for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
18-year-old Sphephelo Sithole, previously from the KwaZulu-Natal Football Academy, had been scouted by the Portuguese giants at an international tournament held in Durban last year.
The academy's Managing Director, Carlos Catalino says it comes as no surprise that Sithole attracted global interest.
Sithole's style of play has been likened to that of, multiple African Footballer of the Year award winner, Yaya Toure, with Catalino saying his physicality and footballing brain are assets to any professional.
Although the South African has yet to feature for his new club, Catalino believes that Portugal is just a pit-stop for Sithole en route his way to the top.
Catalino says that a group of players from the academy have made the move across to Europe in recent years, however Sithole is the one who he is certain will attract attention from a host of other clubs.
Sithole will join the likes of academy peer, Thabo Cele, who made his move to Portugal permanent when he signed a long-term contract with Benfica earlier this year.
Cele won a move to Real Sport Clube de Massama ahead of the 2016/17 season and after a number of impressive performances for them. Having netted three goals in 21 games, the 20-year-old has since been signed by Benfica. He will continue to fight for promotion with Massama, before moving to Benfica ahead of the new season.