Teenage sensation Kutlwano Letlhaku made his professional debut for Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, but he could have easily appeared in the colours of Kaizer Chiefs had it not been for Amakhosi's reluctance.
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It was exactly a year ago that Soccer Laduma was in attendance at the Vision View Easter Tournament where the Chiefs under-17 side, led by coach Tshidiso Letsholonyane, cruised to victory in the Transition Football Academy tournament hosted at Pinnacle College in Kyalami.
At the time, Chiefs faced the Transnet School of Excellence in the semi-final of the competition where they emerged 2-1 winners, but the Chiefs bench were left in awe as Letlhaku, donning the number 10 jersey left the Amakhosi players in their wake. The standout performances of the teenager, according to Siya sources prompted Motaung to personally lead the pursuit of the player who was rightfully crowned Player of the Tournament.
However, fast forward to one year later and Chiefs' reluctance in full pursuit of the player saw Sundowns benefit.
Letlhaku was snapped up by Sundowns last year, beating Chiefs to his signature and has featured prominently for the Brazilians' DStv Diski Challenge side and was instrumental in Sundowns gallant second half display in the Nedbank Cup against Maritzburg United.
A bright future has been predicted for the silky winger in the colours of Sundowns; though it could have been a completely different story had Chiefs not dragged their feet in pursuing the player.
"I'm happy that we were brave enough at 0-0 to put him in, you know, for a big team like Sundowns, he came on and made a big difference so. But we still have to be patient, patient, patient, patient, patient. I asked for it last season with Cassius [Mailula] and eventually paid off. Let's help these players to improve, and this team to improve and we will get better," Rulani Mokwena said of his debut performance.
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