Manyama urges protection for Cape Town City teenager Witbooi after Cape Derby display

Cape Town City assistant coach Lebogang Manyama has called for Emile Witbooi to be protected from off-field distractions after the teenager starred in Sunday’s 2-0 Cape Derby victory over Hope FC.

Witbooi opened the scoring before setting up Cheswyn Philander for the second goal, producing a performance that made him the clear standout in the derby.

Manyama handled Cape Town City’s post-match media duties in the absence of head coach Andries Ulderink, who was reported to be sick. He praised Witbooi’s influence but also stressed the importance of allowing the youngster to concentrate on his football.

“I could write a book about Emile, but at the end of the day, this is just a 17-year-old who just turned 18. Because we forget that he had a lot of fun today. When he’s at that level, we are better for sure,” Manyama told the media.

“Any team is better when he’s at that level, but we also try to protect him, and we know how good he is, but we also very well know how good he can be and we try to show him what a super-fit, physically and mentally focused Emile can do, as you saw in that first half. And, of course, later on, he struggles a little bit, but the boy is just 18.

“I think we should also, as a country, protect these kids. Stay away from all these things we try to involve in transfers and stuff; let the teams deal with that. Because once he gets to his head, then you don’t get to see what he did in the 1st half, because he focused on those things. Then we lose him. This kid needs to play every week.

“You know, he needs to focus on just football, and we protect him because for me, look, I’ve played with a lot of players, but I’ve seen a few that are just naturally like him, you know? And we have to protect him, but also, we try to teach him to be responsible that he has to know that this game requires quality on both ends, on and off the ball.

“And you can see, it’s difficult for him sometimes to come back because of the actions that he makes, but look, he makes the effort, and we’re quite happy with him coming back six times out of 10, making the effort. I think he’ll get better with time. But yeah, I mean, I cannot put Emile into words. For me. He’s just crazy.”

Manyama said Witbooi’s first-half display showed the level he can reach when he is physically fit and mentally focused. He also acknowledged that the 18-year-old found parts of the match more difficult later on, particularly when required to track back after his attacking actions.

Despite that, he was encouraged by Witbooi’s willingness to make the effort and believed the teenager would continue to improve with regular football.