KickOff.com has learnt that Golden Arrows have promoted a number of youngsters from their reserve team, including a relative of former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain Mbulelo ‘OJ’ Mabizela.

“There’s quite a few of them that we have promoted from our reserve team, but I cannot confirm their names right now because we call each other by nicknames at training and practice matches,” Arrows team manager Vusumuzi Vilakazi confirms.

“It is true that the player in question is one of them. But we are finalizing paperwork with them currently.”

Thulani Mabizela, a 20-year-old central defender who also plays right-back and central midfield – just like the senior Mabizela – and seven other youngsters nicknamed Sulumane, S’beko, Nsimbi, Mthoko, Damien, KG and Zulu are also amongst those in contention for promotion.

KickOff.com has learnt that the young defender is Mabizela’s nephew.

Mabizela is currently in camp with Abafana Bes’thende and was on the bench in the previous weekends Ladysmith Mayoral Cup. Arrows lost to Free State Starts on penalties in the final.

Other opponents were Manzini Sundowns from Swaziland and the UThukela Select XI.

The youngster was part of Arrows’ squad during the 2011 Metropolitan U/19 Premiers Cup and was in the wanted list of Ajax Cape Town at one stage. He has also turned out for AmaZulu’s Youth Development.
For more http://www.kickoff.com