University of Pretoria striker Michael Tetani joins PSL’s youngest debutants

University of Pretoria striker Michael Tetani has entered the list of the five youngest players to make a professional debut in South African football after appearing at the age of 15.

The newly recruited forward’s first senior appearance prompted a review of the youngest debutants in the history of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), with several players having made their mark before reaching 17.

5. Siyabonga Mabena – 16 years and 24 days

Siyabonga Mabena made his professional debut for Mamelodi Sundowns aged 16 years and 24 days.

The forward was compared with the late Gift Leremi by former Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena. Mabena was introduced at half-time in place of Themba Zwane during Sundowns’ 5-1 victory over Royal AM in March 2023.

He also scored on his first senior appearance, adding to a memorable introduction to professional football.

4. Bradley Carnell – 16 years and 12 days

Bradley Carnell was 16 years and 12 days old when he made his debut for Wits University against Cape Town Spurs in 1993.

That appearance came three years before the reformation of the PSL. Carnell, who played as a left-back, later joined Kaizer Chiefs five years after his Wits debut.

He then waited a further five years before securing a move overseas to German club VfB Stuttgart.

3. Kobamelo Kodisang – 15 years, 11 months and 29 days

Kobamelo Kodisang was still 15 when he made his first senior appearance for Platinum Stars.

He came on for Robert Ng’ambi in the closing stages of a 2-0 win against Golden Arrows in August 2015. Kodisang was only two days short of his 16th birthday at the time.

The player, who later became a midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns, remains among the youngest footballers to have featured in South African professional football.

2. Steve Lekoelea – 15 years, eight months and 15 days

Steve Lekoelea made his debut for Moroka Swallows in October 1994 at the age of 15 years, eight months and 15 days.

He was, at that stage, the youngest player to appear in South African professional football. Lekoelea started Swallows’ match against Bloemfontein Celtic, making his achievement even more notable.

He was still known as Steve Motsiri when he made that appearance.

1. Mkhanyiseli Siwahla – 15 years, five months and 22 days

Mkhanyiseli Siwahla overtook Lekoelea’s record when he debuted for Ajax Cape Town against Dynamos in February 2004.

His achievement went beyond simply becoming the youngest player to debut, as he also scored in his first appearance. That made him the youngest player to score on debut.

Siwahla was substituted after 60 minutes and left the field to a standing ovation. He was replaced by 38-year-old Ernest Mtawali.

KickOff said it is still in the process of verifying Tetani’s exact date-of-birth details.