Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo believes something special is happening in Cape Town after what he witnessed at the 2024 Engen Knockout Challenge in June.
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Working as an ambassador for the Engen tournament, retired shot-stopper Mhlongo has only had good things to say about what he has seen this year so far. Ahead of the Champ of Champs later this year, the ex-PSL goalkeeper discussed his role in an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, reserving special praise for the teams that participated in the competition in the Mother City in early June. Mhlongo also singled out Surprise Ralani's son, Emile Witbooi, for his outstanding performances at Erica Park.
Tell us about your involvement with the Engen tournament...
I've been involved with the Engen tournament for the past three years now as an ambassador. So, mainly, my role is to set up as an inspiration, to be able to tell the story from a person who has walked that path, and try and encourage, well aligned and according to the theme of the tournament for every year, you know, like this year it's 'it's your moment'. So my role is to just encourage by sharing all these success stories from yesteryear and just encourage the current players that it is their moment if they see that opportunity, because anything and everything is possible. So that's basically that, and apart from that as well, it's all about mentorship, it's all about making sure that we mentor these kids, and give advice and support where needed, making sure that we help them all we can in enhancing their careers.
These kids must be excited to see you around...
Yeah, 100%. I think the fun part of it is us being involved within the tournament. It's not only about just showing face, taking pictures and what-not, but I think most importantly of all, just to be involved and being part of the journey. Sometimes, you'll find that I get to give those motivational talks after the games, whether the team has lost or not, just to encourage them, to motivate them, to say, 'all is not lost, you can still bounce back from here'. I also give a bit of coaching to certain individuals where, time and again, I have these one-on-ones with them where I'll be like, 'OK, I've been following their game throughout the entire tournament, I think they can improve by implementing this and that'. So it maybe now has become a personal attachment to where you kind of make sure that you're heavily involved with all the emotions, or the name of being passionate about the the experiences because it's all about giving that child that opportunity, because I also came from that platform.
And have you been impressed by the standard this year?
I think it was fantastic in terms of the technical ability. There's something that's going on in Cape Town, I don't want to lie to you, where things have improved, and it was definitely shown even in the PSL with Stellenbosch FC being a force to be reckoned with. But having said that, I think Cape Town City, they really impressed. Ubuntu also really impressed. Stellenbosch being the main team, I think they did pretty well, they're working on something pretty great.
Mhlongo praises Ralani's son
I think Emile Witbooi, right now, is one of those little gems to look out for the future. For a 15-year-old boy to take charge, to come out in this tournament and be the player of the tournament... For me, I think it's unheard of against the U18s, which is something amazing. I think he's one of the players that we definitely want to see pretty soon in the PSL as well!
