School of Excellence player selected for Supersport United

"So far I have played one game for the team - against Manchester City and we won 2-0. I was nervous and excited at the same time; I could not believe that I was playing against a renowned international soccer team. That's where I see myself in the years to come, playing for an international team," Mphahlele said. With the PSL League starting this weekend, and judging by his performance in the pre-season build up, he could well be in line for the PSL Rookie of the Year.

Sports academy

Mphahlele started taking an interest in the game at the age of nine years, playing for his school, Sol Plaatje Primary School. He started at the School Of Excellence at the age of 12 as he wanted to attend a sports academy because he knew his soccer career would be developed and taken care of there. In 2007 he attended trials at the SuperSport Tottenham Hotspur Development Academy, and although he wasn't accepted, he never gave up on that dream. "In 2011 I went back for trials again and this time around I got accepted and since then I have been playing for their development team," he said. "In January 2013 I got signed up by SuperSport United FC, which has always been my dream."

Two of his team mates at school are also now playing professional soccer - Stanley Muishond, who is at Vasco Da Gama FC and Tshepo Mabuwa who also plays for SuperSport United. "If it wasn't for the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup, I would not be where I am today. I admire Mr Motsepe for his dedication to soccer development."