Orlando Pirates' youth development academy is proving fertile ground once again, with exciting goalkeeper Zoey Monyepao expected to graduate to the senior team.
Siya sources close to the club have indicated that the 18-year-old, son of musician DJ Cleo, has impressed the technical team so much that they might offer him a three-year senior contract.
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Monyepao's journey to the first team's doorstep began months ago when he started training alongside Pirates' seasoned shot-stoppers. His talent and dedication weren't lost on the coaches, leading to new opportunities.
"It has always been the club's mandate to promote the youngsters from development and this time around it's Zoey (Monyepao) who the club has promoted from development and have offered him a three-year senior team contract," said the Siya source.
"The deal is about to happen and it's imminent as it looks at the moment. The boy has been doing well in the DDC, but as well as at training, with the senior team and that's why there is this senior team contract offer. They don't want to lose their own product and they want him to learn from the senior goalkeepers at the club," the source told Soccer Laduma.
The club's ambition extends beyond Monyepao and with developing other young keepers too, aiming to inspire the success they had once achieved on the field with legends at Bucs.
"The contract they have offered him is a three-year contract. This is one way of showing that they are able to build their own goalkeepers and other players as well. They did that with Rele (Mofokeng) last season and they are looking forward to seeing Zoey grow with the team hence the contract with the first team," the source added.
Monyepao's high potential to impress has expected to have earned him a spot in the Carling All-Star team set to face Stellenbosch FC on January 6 at Peter Mokaba Stadium. He should replace the legendary Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the match after the latter keeper was confirmed to be ineligible due to his suspension with Amakhosi.
Pirates didn't comment when contacted by Soccer Laduma when preparing this story. Monyepao's journey from promising prospect to senior team hopeful embodies the Buccaneers' commitment to youth development and their unwavering pursuit of homegrown talent.
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