In a first-of-its-kind opportunity for the Eastern Cape province, or perhaps even South Africa, teenagers Akhathina Liema, Akhumzi Mangali, Onako Xego and Sipho Abulele will have a chance to score themselves a professional contract with Scottish Championship outfit Livingston. | The academy is no stranger to producing top talent. Livingston signed academy graduate Aphelele Teto in 2022 from TS Galaxy and were so impressed with the teenager that the club’s head coach David Martindale has extended an invitation for the four talented boys to show their talent and try their luck at Livingston.
Head of the academy, Carlos Eric Mtshamba, spoke to ahead of the trip, which is scheduled for 18 September. "I’m happy for the boys and happy for the growth of the academy," Mtshamba revealed. "These boys are inspiring other kids as well in South Africa to dream big.
Kids who don’t have hope or a belief that maybe one day they can, that it’s possible to come from an amateur academy and head straight to Europe. "Also, this inspires the communities where these boys are coming from. What we are doing may seem like a dream for some people.
| The East London-based academy also boasts three of its graduates at SuperSport United. The trio is in the club's youth ranks after impressing during assessment. "We’ve been fortunate over the last few years to be able to send some of our boys to a big club like SuperSport United, and they were able to join their academy," added Matshamba.
"So, wit.