25 August 2017 – Another gem has been unveiled in KwaZulu-Natal in the form of Sphephelo Sithole. Well known as “Toure” in the football circles, the 18-year-old sensation from the KZN Academy has officially put pen to paper with Portuguese side, Sporting Clube.

Sithole now joins his former KZN Academy teammate, Thabo Cele in Europe who joined Portuguese giants, Benfica from the academy earlier this year. Both players were identified at the Durban U19 tournament that involved teams such as Arsenal, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Brazil’s Santos.

The 18-year-old midfielder was part of Thabo Senong’s U17 Amajimbos squad that represented the nation at the U17 FIFA World Cup in Chile two years ago.

“This is really great news for South African football. Such achievements are not to be taken lightly as this will in the near future benefit South African football. We wish Sphephelo the best of luck in Portugal and hope to see more young players secure contracts in Europe” said SAFA’s Technical Director, Neil Tovey.

Details of the contract duration are yet to be announced by the club.