SA U17 coach reveals his fears for red-hot Siyabonga Mabena
South Africa Under 17 boys football team coach Duncan Crowie has revealed his fears for red-hot starlet Siyabonga Mabena’s career.
Crowie said this on Friday when he joined the bandwagon of those making passionate pleas for Siyabonga Mabena’s protection.
The youngster, who has taken the COSAFA Under 17 Boys Championship by storm in Malawi, plays in Gauteng Development League.
The Amajimbos coach Crowie observed that Siyabonga Mabena is too talented to be left on his own.
“Siyabonga Mabena is someone who can take on any defender, turn and score from nowhere,” he said.
“He is only 15 years old and obviously, big teams would come wanting to sign him. He can eventually play at the highest level because he has the potential.”
DUNCAN CROWIE CALLS FOR SIYABONGA MABENA’S PROTECTION
Crowie then called on the South African football fraternity to ensure that the gem does not follow the path of other stars who never fulfilled their potential.
“We don’t want a situation where in two years, everybody will be asking: ‘where is Siyabonga?’ Siya is a special player. He must be managed properly,” he said.
Earlier, Pitso Mosimane’s Soccer Schools Programme coach Brilliant Mashao echoed Crowie’s statement in an interview with FARPost.
South African football has had many cases of gems such as Jabu ‘Pule’ Mahlangu and Mbulelo Mabizela not realizing their full potential due to off-the-field distractions.
Crowie spoke to the media at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe Malawi after Siyabonga Mabena netted a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Malawi.
SIYABONGA MABENA SCORING IN EVERY GAME AT COSAFA
The diminutive forward has been scoring in each and every game that he has played in at the Cosafa Championship.
The School of Excellence forward Siyabonga Mabena was joined on the scoresheet by Thato Sibiya and Shakier Lee in the win over Malawi.
Mabena is now the firm favourite for the Golden Boot Award as he has scored nine goals at the competition.
Mabena’s exploits steered Amajimbos to the Cosafa Championship final to meet Zambia on Sunday afternoon at the same Lilongwe venue.
Amajimbos have since also already booked a place at the 2023 AFCON under-17 finals scheduled for Algeria.
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