[b]Tumelo Mopedi from Orlando Pirates, who has already played for the national Under-17 and Under-20 sides, is going to Sporting Lisbon in Portugal [/b]while Ajax Cape Town defender Abubaker Mobara is headed to Amsterdam in the Netherlands.For both, it is a second trial at the respective clubs and a good sign the 18-year-olds are being seriously considered for a contract offer.
Mopedi has already had several trials overseas in the last year at Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands and with Sporting.
He also spent some time with Barcelona.
Dutch club Vitesse said they had been impressed with the youngster and were also waiting to make a decision on where to sign him.
“He made a good impression with us but it also depends for us where we end in the league and whether we play European football next season,” said their sports director Ted van Leeuwen.
“We want Mopedi to play for us as a defensive midfielder but we already have Anthony Annan from Ghana in the number 6 position. Annan is a fantastic player but we have him on loan only. We also have to wait to see what happens with him.”
Mobara impressed in a recent youth tournament in Amsterdam in which Ajax Cape Town participated and was asked to stay back for trials at Ajax Amsterdam.
Now they have requested he return again for further assessment. His agent Rob Moore said he had also received an enquiry about Mobara from FC Porto.
“He’s the best back four talent to come out of South Africa for years,” he said.
Fonte: h**p://www.kickoff.com/news/28368/tumelo-mopedi-and-abubaker-mobara-heading-overseas-for-trials.php
[b]Tumelo Mopedi (January 18, 1994) is one of the biggest football talents in South Africa. 'Tummy' is a central midfielder, strong, with a good technique and great work capacity[/b] currently playing at Orlando Pirates and international u17 and u18 for South Africa. Tumelo has been invited to train with RCD Espanyol, Villarreal FC, PSV Eindhoven and Ajax Amsterdam and was the star of his team in the prestigious Nike Cup at Manchester in 2009.
I have seen him play... [b]He's very much composed and has an excellent ball distribution. He must just work on his tackling which is very clumsy and rough.[/b]
Orlando Pirates development structures could soon benefit from yet another glowing start which is showing great potential of becoming [b]one of the best players in the country.[/b]Born in 1994 in Phiri – Soweto, Tumelo Mopedi started his football at Gauteng Eastern before being snatched to Palacios academy where he played for four years, before being promoted to Orlando Pirates development in December 2008.
His contribution to the team this season has been phenomenal, as he is the key man to watch in the SAFA SOWETO league.
According to Professor Palacios, Technical director of development at Pirates, Tumelo is a “blessing in Bucs stable, as we have not had a strong midfielder with height, strength and good physical structure, who can command respect and authority in the midfield”.
“Tumelo is a good prospect… he is very mobile and very competitive. His height and strength can be useful to destroy the opponents attack. He also boasts an excellent aerial prowess which is a great advantage for the team, because he can help in the defense too,” Palacios said.
During this interview, Tumelo said that despite the huge responsibility that comes with playing for Orlando Pirates, he is up to the challenge of achieving his dreams of becoming a senior player in South Africa.
“I know I have to improve in my passing accuracy and work very hard to achieve my goals. I have a great support in my parents who always encourage me to do well, and that makes me strong. My father and my mother are my pillars of strength, and I feel good to have them behind me,” said the Soweto born and soft spoken player.
Meanwhile, Prof. Palacios said that he is very thankful for the support parents have been showing to their kids at Pirates development.
“I take this opportunity to thank all parents for being behind their kids; I also want to wish a happy mothers day to all mothers,” concluded Palacios.
Fonte: h**p://www.psl.co.za/article.asp?id=299135
