Orlando Pirates have cooled their interest in highly rated Cape Town City FC youngster Emile Witbooi after learning it would cost €1 million [about R18.6 million] to secure his services, FARPost has learnt.
The Buccaneers reportedly identified the 17-year-old as one of the players capable of strengthening their attacking ranks following Relebohile Mofokeng’s departure to the Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
However, CT City have made it clear they are in no rush to sell the youth international, placing a hefty valuation on the teenager that has forced Pirates to look elsewhere, at least for now.
Witbooi’s stock has risen sharply over the past year. The gifted attacker enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. His performances for South Africa’s Under-17 side further strengthened chairman John Comitis’ belief that the youngster’s value will continue to increase.
The CT City boss has long maintained that Witbooi, who turns 18 next month, is destined for the highest level. The teenager has previously spent time with English giants Chelsea and Portuguese powerhouse Sporting CP, giving him early exposure to European football.
The teenager was one of Amajimbos’ standout performers at the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, scoring twice as South Africa reached the Round of 32.
WHAT CAPE TOWN CITY COACH ANDRIES ULDERINK SAID ABOUT EMILE WITBOOI
His impressive World Cup campaign came on the back of another good showing at the Under-17 AFCON in Morocco. With interest continuing to grow both locally and abroad, the Citizens believe patience could ultimately lead to an even bigger transfer fee.
“I’m very happy that he’s doing really well. In the beginning, he struggled with the physical part of the game, but he’s handling that better and better,” Ulderink told FARPost in a previous interview.
“We’re talking now about setting up an individual program, also outside of football, for Emile. It’s good to see that he’s developing. I’m very happy that he stays down to earth. He’s training hard.”
Ulderink, who served as CT City’s director of football last season, revealed that, upon returning from the World Cup in Qatar, the teenager shockingly resumed training straight away.
“He came back straight away. He wanted to be back in training or didn’t want to have an extra day off. I like his mentality because the step to Europe or to bigger clubs isn’t easy. We’ve seen too many South African players who made that step. And after that, we didn’t see them anymore. I’m very happy that he’s down-to-earth. He’s realistic; he’s not hurrying his career…..”
Ulderink acknowledged interest from Europe but stressed, “As long as it’s not concrete, we remain calm towards Emile.” He believes the youngster is currently in “a good social environment” and suggests that realistically, “Europe could be the next step.”
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