Goals & Skills Galore: The 2000s Are Taking Over The PSL

Several of South Africa's most talented under-23 players have been making a name for themselves and grabbing headlines in the Betway Premiership recently.  

Here's a look at their standout performances.

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The story

Over the last couple of weeks, the PSL's most talented young players from Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have been showing out in the Betway Premiership.

From Amakhosi's Mduduzi Shabalala to Pirates' new teenage sensation, Mohau Nkota, the emergence of young talent this season has excited many about the future of Bafana Bafana and Mzansi's football overall.

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Lethaku Khoza

19-year-old Kutlwano Letlhaku was the latest youngster to turn heads with a brace in Masandawana's 2-0 win over Polokwane City on Wednesday.

The Sowetan-born striker and 20-year-old defender Malibongwe Khoza have made steady progress in their breakthrough season in professional football under Manqoba Mngqithi, already showing potential to become mainstays in arguably the most talented squad in the league.

Downs also boast the likes of Siyabonga Mabena, Ntando Nkosi and Thapelo Maseko in their crop of young ballers — who are likely to get their opportunities to shine as the season progresses for Mngqithi's formidable Downs.

Shabalala Vilakazi

Although Amakhosi have gone winless in their last three matches in all competitions, mercurial talents Mfundo Vilakazi and Mduduzi Shabalala have given supporters plenty of reasons stay positive.

"Mdu or Die" came in clutch to rescue Chiefs from defeat in their last league game before the international break, a 2-2 draw with surprise packages, Magesi FC in Polokwane last week Wednesday.

The 20-year-old has managed five goal contributions in seven appearances under Nasreddine Nabi this season, repaying his Tunisian mentor for the faith he has shown in him this season.

Although he's only managed a single goal so far this season, Mfundo Vilakazi has also impressed as an impact player off the bench for Chiefs, whenever called upon this season.

He put on a spirited cameo in the Glamour Boys' crushing 4-0 defeat to Sundowns in the Carling Knockout quarter-finals on Saturday, showing plenty of passion and desire in a lost cause.

Nkota Mofokeng 

Orlando Pirates' lethal wingers, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota have been terrorising defenders in their last four Betway Prem matches.

The talented duo have started in Pirates' last four consecutive league wins, where Nkota announced himself with a match winning brace in a 2-1 win over AmaZulu at Orlando Stadium.

Rele assisted the 19-year-old's first two senior club goals in that win over Usuthu and scored a screamer of his own in Pirates' 2-0 win over the struggling TS Galaxy.

In Mofokeng and Nkota's recent performances are anything to go by, Pirates and potentially Bafana could have a potentially world class wing pairing in their ranks.

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