Mamelodi Sundowns senior coach Steve Komphela has praised the development of young talent in South African football, particularly through platforms like the DStv Diski Challenge, which he believes reflects global trends in nurturing youth potential. Komphela highlighted that the emergence of young stars, similar to players like Spain’s Lamine Yamal, is inspiring a shift in the country’s approach to youth football. South Africa is seeing a surge of talent under 20, with players already impacting major leagues and tournaments.
Young players are beginning to excel at the senior level, such as Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala, one of the top scorers in the Betway Premiership with three goals, alongside Evidence Makgopa and Sundowns’ own Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro. Similarly, Relebohile Mofokeng recently decided the MTN8 final with a game-changing performance off the bench, showcasing the readiness of young players to make an impact at key moments.
According to Komphela, this trend mirrors the global shift toward trusting younger players, as seen in European leagues. “The game has evolved, becoming faster and more technical, which suits younger, agile players,” he said, explaining that fans are becoming more receptive to younger talent. “If you show examples of players like Lamine Yamal succeeding at 16 or 17, it opens minds here to be patient with younger players.”
He credits international examples as helping South Africa embrace a similar mindset, with coaches like Gavin Hunt emphasizing that “if you’re good enough, age doesn’t matter.” This philosophy, he notes, is becoming widely accepted as more young players prove themselves capable at senior levels. Komphela believes that platforms like the Diski Challenge are crucial in preparing these players for professional settings by exposing them early to team structures and expectations.
As South Africa’s young talent gains more visibility, Komphela sees a bright future for the sport, built on solid developmental foundations and an openness to the new generation’s potential.
