NedbankCup : Nedbank lads to face Supersport United unveiled
Nedbank has announced eighteen players who will be part of the the Ke yona team which will play against the 2016 Nedbank Champions, Supersport united on the 4th September at Senaba stadium in Daveyton.
This emotional announcement was made on Wednesday night at the Nedbank Head office in Sandton
The Nedbank ambassadors were all over the country searching for uncooked talents. Amongst these selector coaches, it was the Bafana Bafana mentor Shakes Mashaba, Khabo Zondo, the under 23 coach Owen Da Gama and Mike Mangena.
Speaking ahead of this announcement Mashaba said: ” Supersport United will have a tough time when they face these young hungry lads at Ekurhuleni.”
After few speeches, the names of 18 players out of 23 were announced by the SABC presenters, Thomas Mlambo and Minenhle Dlamini.
Many of those whom their names were announced to have made it to the eighteen man couldn’t hold back the tears of joy as they climbed the stage where they were awarded a green jacket, soccer boots, and a certificate.
Thembinkosi Mbamba a right winger said, he did not get a SMS notification, but he went to the stadium as early as 06h00 in the morning. Starving as he was he waited patiently until he trialled at Starving as he was he waited patiently until he trailed 16:00
Executive for group Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Mr Thulani Sibeko said he is confident that even this edition will produce great players for the Premier Soccer league. Since Nedbank Ke Yona teams were established, we have managed to discover 10 players who are playing professionally.
Sibeko counted Aubrey Modiba who is currently with the under 23 in Rio Brazil at the Olympics.
Mashaba took the stage again to announce his captain who will lead the team when they play Matsatsantsa a pitori come the first week of September. Bongani Mbuli from Mpumalanga was presented with an arm band as Mashaba congratulated all those who made it and encouraged those who had to swallow the pain of not being part of the Ke yona team. He concluded by saying Nedbank is doing a great job in awakening the sleeping giants amongst the ordinary boys.
“Some of these players are coming from the remote of the remote areas. They had to take two or more taxis to get to the venue where we conducted our trials.”
The new captain Mbuli seemed to be not overwhelmed by being chosen to lead the team. Speaking to Mabaleng Sports Center he said, wherever he played he had always been trusted with that armband.
“It actually crossed my mind that I might be the captain, I was prepared and ready to take this arm band. I think I was born with this thing” said the shy Witbank born player who grew up supporting Orlando Pirates
The other previous champions who had participated in the Nedbank cup challenge include Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Supersport united are the recent champions and will be playing against these lads who will be going all out to exhibit their God given talents in search of a luck to be chosen by the PSL teams.
The 2016 Ke Yona Team is structured as follows
Player Name Position Province
Akhona Manqola Right back Eastern Cape
Thembinkosi Mbamba Right Wing Gauteng
Tshepo Mashego Attacking midfielder Gauteng
Zairon Abrahams Striker Western Cape
Bongani Mbuli Centre Back Mpumalanga
Thulani Jele Centre Back Gauteng
Paseka Gang Goalkeeper Free State
Cameron Chweu Attacking midfielder Free State
Jeremiah Nkwana Attacking midfielder Gauteng
Lindani Nkabinde Defensive midfielder Gauteng
Musawakhe Mncwango Goalkeeper KwaZulu-Natal
Katlego Mohlala Midfielder North West
Iyanda Mabani Left wing Free State
Thulani Motloung Defender Eastern Cape
Miguel Van Oudtsshoorn Central defender Western Cape
Tshepo Aphane Left back Gauteng
Sinethemba Sdeba Defender Eastern Cape
Kenny Nkhatho Striker Gauteng