The freshly acquired Orlando Pirates prospect has been compared to FC Barcelona and Spain prodigy Lamine Yamal.
The Buccaneers have strengthened their roster with many new additions in preparation for the next season. Selealo Rasebotja, Gilberto, Bayanda Zulu, and Dimpho Madalane are the team’s latest acquisitions.
The majority of them participated in the Sea Robbers’ pre-season tour in Spain, which included friendly matches.
Lucas Sebona, a winger who previously played for Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows, compared left-footed player Madalane to Yamal.
Sebona believes that with more playing time and confidence, Madalane will fulfill his full potential at Ezimnyama Ngenkani.
He has encouraged the Pirates coaches to give him greater freedom to play and express himself rather than limiting him with too many instructions.
NEW PIRATES LEFT-FOOTER COMPARED TO LAMINE YAMAL
“This boy will be on fire once he settles at the club and gets used to his new teammates, at the moment his confidence is still low, but that’s natural,” Sebona told KickOff.com.
“However, age is still on his side. He didn’t want to retain the ball on his feet in his first Pirates encounter against Sevilla.
“We don’t know, maybe it’s the coach’s instructions, but he should be allowed to exploit his strength, which is going forward and whipping in those wonderful crosses with his left foot.
“Khalabemgeza has a unique gift that is quite rare in football. He have natural talent, which cannot be taught anyplace.
“Once he adjusts to his new teammates and regains his confidence, expect fireworks. In terms of talent, he ranks alongside players such as [Lamine] Yamal from Spain.
“However, it is natural to lack confidence at this stage. Remember, he is starting on a very large stage; initially, I believed Pirates would place him in their development program to familiarize him with the system. However, in his instance, he went straight from amateur football to face Sevilla.
“People may expect him to deliver superb crosses, be a dead ball expert, and have moments of exceptional brilliance.
“He was very careful in everything he did yesterday, but he did offer some glimpses; it’s just that he’s still adjusting to the system.
“I believe people will see his full potential in PSL matches; in Spain, the stage is large, and competing against La Liga and English Championship clubs is never easy.
“But I did drive him to Pirates recently to familiarize him with the system, and I also showed him my achievements to encourage him.
“I told him he needed to outperform Happy Jele and me because we all come from the same township, Mhluzi in Middelburg.
“I also made sure I introduced him to Happy Jele so he could look after him there in Johannesburg.”
