Italy U17 Overview

The teenager is one of the most talented youngsters in Mzansi with a bright future. The 17-year-old's abilities have in the past attracted some top teams like the Premier Soccer League's Soweto giants Amakhosi, as well as the English Premier League heavyweights, the Blues, who are known for their appetite for fine players.

Mzansi are through to the knockouts, but it came down to the wire on Sunday, 9 November. Despite falling 3-1 to Italy, South Africa clinched second place in Group A after Bolivia and Qatar played out a goalless draw. With four points in the bag, Vela Khumalo’s side live to fight another day.

Although they were denied a number of goal-scoring chances by the Bolivian goalkeeper, the African representatives were clinical and ensured they picked up maximum points from their opening game. The South Africans performed well despite playing for more than one hour with 10 men after one of them had been sent off late in the first half.

The youngster joined the South American heavyweights as part of a collaborative partnership with his local club. He impressed during trials that lasted for two months before he was co-opted in a move that has been welcomed by those who developed him.