Mbuso Makhubela, a Grade 12 pupil of Penryn College, will sign a professional contract with TS Galaxy’s Diski team in November.
He was invited by Coach Bernard Parker to attend a trial in Johannesburg which commenced on July 29 and concluded on August 1.
“I got a call from Coach Parker confirming that Mbuso made it through for his assessment. He will come back to Mbombela to finish his preliminary and final exams, and then he’ll move to Johannesburg to start his new professional journey for our TS Galaxy FC reserve team, with the hope that he’ll be selected for the first team soon. I’m on my way to Joburg. I will meet the chairperson and call his parents. He will sign in November,” said Simphiwe Mokoena, TSG Youth Academy @ Penryn head coach, on August 1.
It has always been Mbuso’s dream to play professional soccer.
He started playing this beautiful game at the tender age of five. “Coming from a soccer-oriented family, the game was always a significant part of our lives. My brothers played soccer, and naturally their passion for the sport rubbed off on me. I fell in love with the game early on and have been dedicated to it ever since,” Mbuso said before the trail commenced.
He first played for Penryn’s first team in Grade Nine.
“In 2019, I was honoured to receive the Best Player of the Year Award. The following year, I won the Top Goal-scorer Award for the U15/17 team. Last year, I was not only named Player of the Year, but also had the privilege of captaining the first team. Leading my team was an incredible and a significant personal achievement,” he said.
The young player’s hard work paid off when he was spotted by Parker, who represented Bafana Bafana 73 times and was appointed coach of TS Galaxy’s DStv Diski Challenge team on July 6. The DStv Diski Challenge is an annual league for the reserve teams of the Betway Premiership clubs.
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“When I received the news about the trial in Joburg, my emotions were all over the place. It was a surreal moment. I didn’t know how to react initially. The excitement and disbelief were overwhelming. The first thing I did was to call my mum and dad and share the news. They were overjoyed and immensely proud of me. What made the moment even more special, was that I received the call on my dad’s birthday. It felt like a gift to him, and his pride and happiness added to my joy.”
He is also a product of the TSG Youth Academy @ Penryn.
“Penryn College and the TSG Youth Academy have played pivotal roles in my development as a player. At Penryn, the coaches were instrumental in my development and skills, providing me with the guidance needed to excel. They identified areas where I needed improvement and closely worked with me to improve those aspects. The training and support I received was incredible. The TSG Youth Academy has also been crucial in my growth. They’ve helped me transition from a promising young player to a more polished and competitive athlete. The academy’s focus on development has prepared me well for the challenges of professional soccer.”
Mbuso’s international soccer hero is Ronaldinho, capped 97 times by Brazil.
“Growing up, he was a player I looked up to. My cousin, who was also a soccer enthusiast, introduced me to Ronaldinho’s style of play. He tried to teach me to emulate his flair and creativity on the field. Ronaldinho’s passion for the game and his incredible skill set were hugely inspiring to me.”
The very man who oversaw his trial this week is his South African football inspiration. “Bernard Parker is my hero. He’s not only a football icon, but also my mentor. Bernard has been guiding and prepping me, sharing his experiences and insights to help me navigate my own journey. His influence has been profound, and I aspire to achieve the kind of success he has had in his career.”
Mbuso is the pride of Penryn. With his skills, determination and passion for hard work and learning on the training pitch, he could become the pride of South Africa.
