South Africa youth interntional tipped for brighter future after U20 AFCON winner's move to former Chelsea FC and AC Milan star's club

Stars of Africa Academy founder Farouk Khan has tipped South Africa's youngster Kgomotso Madiba to become a top Bafana Bafana star in the future. 

The U20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner has sealed a deal with Brazilian giants Fluminense, who have ex-Chelsea star Thiago Silva on their books, and will be part of their academy, a move that Khan believes is the right one to help the starlet develop.

"We were optimistic that he would make it, but in fairness, he's only 17 now, and I think a lot of the players in that squad are currently playing for PSL clubs," Khan told SABC Sports.

"So their ages are probably between 19 and 20, with maybe an exception of a few – I think [Mfundo] Vilakazi is 18 or 19 now, so I think KG still has a couple of years.

"But the coaches invited him to the initial squad before they chose their final squad, and they liked him a lot, but I think we have to be fair to the fact that he's still young and he has time," he added.

"I think the big boost is that he's now going to join a club that has a huge history in developing top players – currently they have two players at Chelsea, both Brazilian; I think Estevao is the one."

Although he was part of Raymond Mdaka's squad that conquered Africa, he was not named for the U20 World Cup finals in Chile. But according to Khan, Madiba was not affected, and he indeed expressed confidence and readiness.

"When KG goes to that particular academy, I get goosebumps because he's hungry. All he said when I empathised with him [for missing the U20 squad], he said, 'Coach, I'm ready now to go and work,'" he added.

"He didn't take it hard; he understood that in life these things do happen, but he's going to come out stronger, and I do think that KG is going to miss out on a couple of [junior] stages.

"And when he gets there, in the next year or two, I think he'll be ready to be scouted for the national team. I think by the time he gets to 19-20, he will be a player we'll see in the [Bafana Bafana] team." 

The Amajita teenage sensation joined ex-Chelsea FC and PSG defender Thiago Silva at Brazilian giants in September after training with them. 

The Mzanzi starlet previously trained with Familicao in Portugal before he switched to Fluminense.

His move is viewed as a big step in his career, as he hopes to become an even better player who will, in the near future, sign for top clubs and become Bafana's regular player.