Nedbank is delighted to announce that 2017 Ke Yona Team captain Kamogelo Mogotlane has realized his dream of playing professional football after being signed by one of the PSL’s most talked about teams, Cape Town City.

Mogotlane was the first member of the 18-man Ke Yona squad to begin his month-long trial with a Premier Soccer League (PSL) side and has hopefully inspired fellow graduates to follow suit.

Just days into his trial, Cape Town City head coach Benni McCarthy described the hard-tackling defender as “a great future prospect “who simply needed more training with the club. True to his words, City has given the young skipper an opportunity to prove his worth and shine with the Cape Town based outfit.

Upon receiving the news, an elated Mogotlane said, “ I am overcome with emotions. From the moment I trialed to be in the 2017 Nedbank Ke Yona Team, up until this point, my life has dramatically been changed, for the better.

“Joining City is just the cherry on top. I would like to thank my family, friends, Ke Yona team, coach Benni and Mr. Comitis for this wonderful opportunity that they have given me.

“Last but certainly not least – Thank you to Nedbank for the lessons I learned whilst in the Ke Yona camp and the platform they have given me to showcase my talent. I hope that my successful trial will inspire other graduates and even future graduates to use the opportunity to their full advantage.” he concluded.

Sponsorship manager for football properties at Nedbank, Tutu Skosana congratulated the young defender “We are extremely excited for Kamogelo. As the money experts who do good, we believe that the Ke Yona Team Search PSL Draft is another way Nedbank gives young talented players much-needed exposure to the structures within professional football.

“Kamogelo worked hard and earned himself a professional contract. We hope that the remaining 2017 graduates who are also currently on trial with their respective PSL teams are inspired by this move and will hopefully score themselves contracts too,” he said.

As captain of the Ke Yona team, the 21-year old from Mpumalanga follows in the footsteps of his 2014, 2015 and 2016 predecessors. The 2014 Cape Town born captain Sydney Masana signed with Free State Stars and is currently contracted to NFD side – Cape Town All Stars.

Ian Chikowha from 2015 and Bongani Mbuli of 2016’s trials also concluded with them signing for the University of Pretoria and Bidvest Wits respectively. Chikowha remains a huge part of the Amatuks team, while Mbuli joined newly promoted NFD side – Super Eagles FC on-loan, as they work their way to the PSL.

These players along with Mogotlane, form part of over 20 Ke Yona graduates who are currently playing for professional teams in the Premier Soccer League and National First Division.