Within minutes of watching a teenage Asekho Tiwani at a Sekhukhune United trial, Morgan Gould instantly knew they had a rare gem on their hands. At the time, Gould was the assistant coach of the DStv Diski Challenge side at Babina Noko.
The mission was clear: sift through a sea of aspiring footballers and unearth the hidden gems. The task was daunting, but the reward – discovering the next generation of stars – was worth the effort. And stocky, muscular, wide-eyed Tiwani stood head and shoulders above his peers.
That moment sparked a journey that has seen Tiwani rise from a promising youngster to a Mamelodi Sundowns player. “The first time I saw him, I was at Sekhukhune; there were trials for the DDC team,” Gould tells FARPost.
“He was one of the players that attended the trials. Credit must go to a guy called Themba Masango. On the first few occasions, he recognised the talent in the boy. I also felt this was a gem that would go far in life. He had a good attitude, the drive, the hunger, and you could see that he’s not ordinary.”
Tiwani’s talent was undeniable, but his character truly set him apart. According to Gould, a former Kaizer Chiefs defender and Bafana Bafana international, the youngster possessed a rare combination of humility, dedication and an insatiable desire to improve.
“He was very humble and quiet,” says Gould. “Often you find a youngster, you give him praise, and he loses it. With him, it was different; he would push on and want to do more. That’s why he’s the Under 20, and that’s why he gets into Sundowns and pushes. Intelligent youngster, he’s a go-getter, he knows what he’s working for.”
ASEKHO TIWANI HAD A COMMITMENT THAT EXTENDED BEYOND THE PITCH
Gould and Masango were so impressed with Tiwani that they urged Sekhukhune United CEO Jonas Malatji to secure his services. They described him as a “nonsense defender” who could also play in midfield, a leader on and off the field, and someone who always stepped up to the challenge.
Tiwani’s dedication and commitment extended beyond the pitch. He had a clear vision for his future, driven by a desire to provide for his family. “We had a discussion with me, and he told me he wanted to build a house for his family,” shares Gould.
His performances at Sekhukhune didn’t go unnoticed. His season was punctuated by a moment of brilliance: a wonder strike against Cape Town Spurs that became the 2023/24 Goal of the Season. Sundowns, the reigning champions of South African football, recognised his potential and secured his signature.
At Sundowns, the national Under 20 captain has continued to impress, quickly establishing himself as a key player and even displacing more experienced players like Divine Lunga. Gould acknowledges the remarkable progress Tiwani has made. “You can see the kid is at Sundowns and claiming his spot. He’s putting a player like Divine Lunga on the bench.”
While Gould refrains from comparing Tiwani to the versatile Aubrey Modiba, he believes Tiwani’s will soon be knocking on the Bafana Bafana door.
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