Mamelodi Sundowns invites local player to trials
Karabo Mookamedi was spotted at the Nedbank Ke Yona Team search recently
LIMPOPO – Soccer star Karabo Mookamedi’s dreams of becoming a professional football player is almost a reality.
The young star who hails from Nkowankowa in Tzaneen will participate in a month’s trial with African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mookamedi was spotted at the Nedbank Ke Yona Team search recently.
The Ke Yona team players which recently played with Free State Stars, the PSL 2017/18 Nedbank champions were voted for by the public to train with a professional team.
The players were officially drafted to their voted teams last Wednesday at The Venue Conference Centre in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
According to Nedbank, the Ke Yona initiative has changed the lives of many young soccer stars such as Bongani Sam and Aubrey Modiba.
Mookamedi (23) told CV that he was delighted that he was voted to play for the Brazilians.
“Being voted for Sundowns is a huge opportunity for me to make my dreams come true,” said Mookamedi.
He said going to compete against professional players is a challenge, but all he can do is give it his all.
“This is an opportunity to show off my skills and for people to remember my name.
“I believe working under one of the best African coaches will polish my career and I’m looking forward to learn more from him.
“I was always following Sundowns and I believe that playing for them will improve my soccer skills,” he said.
Mamelodi Sundowns Spokesperson, Thulani Thuswa, said: “Mookamedi is a young talented star and I believe that he can bring change to the team.
“As a team we are going to grant him the opportunity to show off his skills.”
Nedbank team selector and coach, Khabo Zondo, said they were thoroughly impressed with the performance of the young stars.
“The team indeed played as a unit and we appreciate the fact that the players complimented each other on the pitch” said Zondo.
He said during the time they spent with the players they made them aware of one another’s strengths and they played to that.
“We are proud of the players and we are quite hopeful that many teams will see the value that these young stars can add to their teams,” he said.
Head of Sponsorship and Marketing at Nedbank, Tobie Badenhorst, said they are delighted to be continuing the Ke Yona journey.
He said the Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search has always served as a campaign that travels all over the country in search of the best talent on offer.
“With every community which we have been to we have received so much love and support this year, it has been a strong beacon of hope for the 2018 team,” said Badenhorst.
