The dream of a professional football career has finally come to life for Mpumalanga-born defender, Bongani Mbuli who has signed a two-year contract with Bidvest Wits FC. The hard-tackling defender’s performance during the 2016 Nedbank Ke Yona Challenge against Supersport United caught the eyes of a number of Premier Soccer League clubs but with Nedbank’s innovative addition to the Ke Yona Team Search that saw the final Ke Yona squad drafted into PSL clubs on a one-month trial basis, the young defender is now a Bidvest Wits FC player. Mbuli now joins the long list of players that have partnered with Nedbank to make their dreams happen through the Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search. The 20-year-old defender was unearthed and groomed by the four Ke Yona Team coaches in Shakes Mashaba, Owen Da Gama, Khabo Zondo and Mike Mangena and is steadily growing into a prized asset for South African football. During his time under the tutelage of the coaches at the Ke Yona Bootcamps, the youngster was also equipped with key financial and lifestyle management skills by Nedbank to help the player become a complete footballer on and off the field – as part of the ‘Ring of Steel’ initiative.
Speaking at his new club’s training session, Mbuli thanked Nedbank for fast tracking his football career.
“Over the past three years, I have noticed how Nedbank has turned people’s dreams into a reality. I am glad that I took the opportunity of partnering with Nedbank and become one of many youngsters to graduate from the programme. I can proudly call myself a professional footballer and very grateful to have an opportunity to play for a professional club” said Mbuli.
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Nedbank’s Football Sponsorship Manager, Tutu Skosana congratulated Mbuli for joining the growing list of Ke Yona Team Search graduates.
“We are proud of Bongani’s achievement. It is moments like these that affirm our commitment to soccer and in particular, unearthing new talent. It seems like yesterday when Mbuli captained the Ke Yona Team Search in the 2016 Nedbank Ke Yona Challenge match against the reigning champions SuperSport United. His performance and dedication to soccer will set him in good standing on his way to achieving bigger things under the tutelage of renowned coach Gavin Hunt,” states Skosana.
Mbuli now follows in the footsteps of Sydney Masana (Bloem Celtic), Jarred Meyer (Jomo Cosmos), Ian Chikowa (Tuks) and Aubrey Modiba (SuperSport United) who continue to thrive and make their mark in the Premier Soccer League.
Bongani Mbuli
Nickname: Bulala
Age: 20
Position: Centre Back
Hometown: Mpumalanga Ermelo
How I got to the Try Outs:
I had given up hope of playing football because I have been to a number of trials with different teams. I have been following the Ke Yona Team Search since it’s inception year and realized that these were ordinary players just like me. Nedbank has unearthed some of the best young talent and I want to be a part of that legacy.
