City’s 21-year-old midfielder earns Khanyisa Mayo’s seal of approval
Emerging Cape Town City midfielder Luyolo Slatsha has earned Khanyisa Mayo’s seal of approval after five successive starts in the DStv Premiership.
Slatsha is turning heads on and off the field, garnering praise from teammates and coaches for his dedication, work ethic, and real estate prowess.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder, known for his positional discipline, awareness, and intelligent play, has featured in the starting lineup in recent games, showcasing his talent and dedication on the field.
Slatsha’s journey began at Tableview Football Club, where his skills captured the attention of former coach Sifiso Fortune Ndlovu. After a stint with Ajax Cape Town, he moved to Cape Town City in December 2021, and his hard work paid off when he earned his first start in the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season in October.
But Slatsha’s talents extend beyond the football pitch. The young star is also a budding property entrepreneur, demonstrating his intelligence and drive in his athletic and business pursuits.
WHY LUYOLO SLATSHA HAS EARNED KHANYISA MAYO’S APPROVAL
City and Bafana Bafana forward Mayo has high praise for Slatsha, commending his work ethic and commitment. “Lolo is a top upcoming youngster, and I love his work ethic and commitment,” Mayo told FARPost. “I’ll advise him to carry on the way he’s doing. And also, in football, it requires you to have discipline and dedication. You’ve got to remain humble and keep your feet on the ground.”
Slatsha’s former coach, Ndlovu, echoes Mayo’s sentiments, highlighting his exceptional on-field skills and tactical understanding. “What makes him stand out is his positional discipline, awareness, and smart CDM,” Ndlovu says. “His anticipation is fantastic. To think he has no yellow card in six starts as a defensive midfielder. It speaks to his tactical understanding of the game aided by his technical abilities.”
Grant Veitch, Head of Football Development and Scouting at Cape Town City, also recognises Slatsha’s potential, praising his high football IQ and ball-carrying ability. “He is someone that can break a press with ease with his ball-carrying ability on the ball,” Veitch says. “As a person, he is highly intelligent and has a lot of integrity.”
With his talent, dedication, and robust support system, Luyolo Slatsha is poised for a bright future in South African football. His story is one of hard work, determination and a passion for the game.
LITMUS TEST AWAITS SLATSHA
On Sunday, he faces his biggest litmus test when he comes up against Mamelodi Sundowns’s star-studded engine room. Slatsha will battle it with Bafana Bafana’s Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane and mercurial Chilean Marcelo Allende.
City will look to become the first team to beat Sundowns this season. The defending DStv Premiership champions have gone 11 matches without dropping points. The game will be played at the DHL Stadium at 15h30.
Article by Joshua Hendricks
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