Cape Town City and Amajimbos winger Emile Witbooi has been named on the Guardian’s Next Generation 2025 list of the world’s top 60 talents born in 2008.
Last season, Siyabonga Mabena was named on the respected list, and this year Witbooi is following suit, being the only South African on the list.
Witbooi, 17, the son of former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Surprise Ralani, made his senior debut for the Citizens in March and his featured six times overall.
“The jury is still out on Witbooi as the full package, but everyone agrees that he might be the most entertaining African footballer of his generation,” reads the judgement on the Guardian.
“In an era where fans often bemoan the overcoaching and rigidity of modern play, Witbooi feels like a throwback to the pure entertainers of the past.
“Standing just 1.60m (5ft 3in) tall, the Cape Town City winger compensates for his lack of size with fearless dribbling and infectious joy.
“His performances at the 2025 U17 CECAFA and U17 Africa Cup of Nations went viral, as clips of him embarrassing defenders spread across social media.
“He plays with a swagger and eye for goal that makes him impossible to ignore. His father, Surprise Ralani, is also a professional footballer who is still active, at the age of 37.”
Witbooi is on the list among some high-profile names, such as Paris Saint-Germain’s Ibrahim Mbaye, who became the young player to debut for the UEFA Champions League winners at the age of 16 years, six months and 23 days as well as Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl.
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