Manqoba Mngqithi convinced he's found the ‘new Doctor Khumalo'
Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes he's discovered the 'new Doctor Khumalo.'
Coincidentally, the 17-year-old midfielder shares the same surname as Khumalo, regarded by many as one of the finest footballers this country has ever seen.
Speaking ahead of their Betway Premiership opener against newly minted Siwelele FC, Mngqithi said South Africans will enjoy watching teenager Nthutuko Khumalo, who he discovered in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
'I've got a 17-year-old you'll love watching this season,' the former Mamelodi Sundowns head coach was quoted by iDiski Times. According to Mngqithi, the youngster is so good, the club will struggle to keep him playing in South Africa.
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'If he stays with Arrows for more than three seasons without going overseas, I will say something is wrong with my brain because he's a special player. I'm telling you he's an amazing talent.
'At Midlands, I signed around five players under 21 – only one was older, at 24. And it's by coincidence that he is a Khumalo, but he really reminds me of a faster Doctor Khumalo,' said Mngqithi.
'He is an interesting player, believe me, you will love what you will see.
'In terms of what happens with the results and the log table, I don't know, but believe me, we will be an interesting team to watch.'
Doctor Khumalo – affectionately known as '16V' – was one of South Africa's most iconic and influential midfielders. His playing style was defined by intelligence, creativity, and composure, making him a central figure for both Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana in the 1990s.
He was a member of the Bafana team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. However, one of his most memorable performances came in Bafana's game against Brazil that same year. In the first half, he controlled the tempo in midfield as South Africa ran up a 2-0 lead at half-time. Khumalo provided an assist for Phil Masinga's opener and scored himself to make it 2-0.
Khumalo was taken off in the second half, and South Africa collapsed, allowing the world champion Brazilians to seal a famous 3-2 victory. Then head coach, the late Clive Barker, later regretted the decision to substitute Khumalo, saying 'it took the bite out of Bafana.'
It's those very qualities – composure, creativity, and an ability to control the tempo – that Mngqithi believes Nthutuko Khumalo is beginning to show.
Mngqithi likening the youngster to one of the greatest footballers in the country's history is high praise. South Africa will be hoping to get a glimpse of this gem of a player when the new Betway Premiership season kicks off this weekend.
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