The fine performances of Lesedi “TT” Katinga of Benny’s Care during the national finals of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Competition in Durban last month, are paying excellent dividends for the young player.

The attacking midfielder recently received an invitation to attend a camp of Mamelodi Sundowns. It will take place at the end of November at Chloorkop in Midrand. Not only will Katinga get the opportunity to be trained by some of the best soccer development coaches in South Africa, but he will also play against Mamelodi Sundowns’ first team.

At the end of the camp, a few players will be invited to join the Sundowns development academy, and Katinga is hoping that he will be one of them.

Katinga hails from Musina, where he lives with his mother and half-brother. Soccer is his focus and the career path he would like to follow. “I have not thought beyond soccer and Benny’s Sports has been the right school for me, being the only sports school in Limpopo,” he said.

He was groomed in soccer from an early age by his cousin, the late Lesley Manyathela. “He was my hero and role model and gave me advice on how to be a better player. I would sit and watch him on TV with so much pride. He also did so much to promote our small town of Musina, and I would like to continue to fly the town’s flag, even have my own team one day aimed at helping build future stars,” he said.

He joined Musina United FC in 2010 and was spotted by Benny’s coach, Mr Justice Matloga, at a tournament and invited to join the school. “I joined them in 2011 and have never looked back,” he said.

The young footballer is not new to Chloorkop. “I was invited to attend trials for Sundowns in 2011 and 2012, but was not selected into the academy. This year I have been invited to attend a camp and I am hoping that it will be a case of third time lucky. I just have to work hard and focus on my training. I think that my soccer career has a better chance in Gauteng than in Limpopo, as there are more opportunities and the facilities are better,” he said.