Child football prodigy of Stellenbosch FC, Olwethu Makhanya may be about to become the next big thing as he’s received an invitation to train with teams in Holland and Portugal, respectively, ThisIsFootball.Africa can exclusively reveal.
Makhanya is a sensational centre-back and it appears that scouts from overseas have taken a keen interest in the 19-year-old’s capabilities.
Makhanya, whose displays have been turning heads among people wowed by his skills, will spend weeks in European training facilities after the FIFA break.
According to our reliable source close to the player, scouts have been tracing him lately since he joined the Western Cape senior team—and it’s hoped that if the trial goes well, he may be invited back for a longer stint in either one of the teams’ facilities.
When this publication ThisIsFootball.Africa contacted Makhanya’s agent, Nimrod Mbhalati of Nida Sport for comment on the news. The agent confirmed the news but opted not to mention the club names.
“Yes, it’s true, but currently, I am not in a good space to mention the team’s names, but he’s going to trials at top-tier teams both in Holland and Portugal.
“It is no surprise, the boy is doing well, so such things are expected. But currently, he’s fully focused on Stellenbosch FC and the team will be the one to announce when the time arrives. We will cross that bridge when we get there.”
The 19-year-old central defender signed his first professional contract with Stellenbosch in January. Makhanya, one of the most highly-rated prospects in South Africa, made his pro club debut for Stellenbosch in October 2022.
His rise to prominence had also attracted interest from KVC Westerlo in Belgium before the interest from Portugal and Holland. So far, Makhanya has featured 14 times for Stellenbosch in all competitions.
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