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, with this trip to Europe, we are hoping for the same. These boys will be representing the incredible talent in East London and the incredible talent in the Eastern Cape. They are all from different areas and different backgrounds.
"So, it’s a beautiful feeling for me, for the boys, their families and everyone that has been a part of this. "We are just happy, man. I struggle to put it into words.
But we are really happy with the opportunity and I have to thank the technical team that I work with. I also have to thank Livingston and David [Martindale] for the huge opportunity. "After so many years, we produced Teto, who is signed to a European club now.
He opened doors for South African players and now four of our boys will be in Scotland, an opportunity which even most PSL clubs don’t get in South Africa.".
