Emile Witbooi
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emile Amoreece Witbooi | ||
| Date of birth | 28 August 2008 | ||
| Place of birth | Northern Cape Kimberley, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Cape Town City | ||
| Number | 18 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2020-2021 | School of Excellence | ||
| 2024–2025 | Cape Town City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Cape Town City | 4 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2024–2023 | South Africa U15 | 7 | (2) |
| 2024–2025 | South Africa U17 | 10 | (4) |
| 2024– | South Africa U20 | 8 | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:30, 8 April 2025 (UTC) | |||
Emile Amoreece Witbooi (born 28 August 2008) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder and as a winger for Cape Town City.[1]
Emile Witbooi was added to the yearly The guardian list of the best 2008 talents, with him being the only South African on the list.[2]
Club career
A youth product of the Tshwaragano All Stars and the School of Excellence, Witbooi joined the academy of Cape Town City on 20 January 2024.[3] In November, he went on a month-long trial with the Premier League club Chelsea.[4] He made his senior and professional debut with Cape Town City as a substitute in a 2–0 South African Premier Division loss to on 2 March 2025. At 16 years, six months and five days , he was the youngest ever debutant for his club, and the 9th youngest in the history of the league.[5][6]
Youth international career
Witbooi was part of the South Africa U20s that won the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup.[7] Later that year, he played for the South Africa U17s at the 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Championship.[8] In March 2025 he again was called up for the South Africa U17s for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.[9]
Personal life
Witbooi was born in Kimberley, Northern Cape to his mother Avril Witbooi,[10] a civil servant, and Surprise Ralani, his biological father, who was a professional soccer player.[11] On 17 February 2025, Emile Witbooi signed to Roc Nation.[12]
Honours
- South Africa U20
References
- ^ "Witbooi: "We never gave up" – South Africa prodigy inspires comeback win over Egypt". Witbooi: "We never gave up" – South Africa prodigy inspires comeback win over Egypt. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Christenson, Marcus; Bloor, Steven; Blight, Garry (14 October 2025). "Next Generation 2025: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ Pongco, Siya (20 January 2024). "SuperSport Schools Plus | Emile Witbooi follows in his father's footsteps, joins Cape Town City FC". SuperSport Schools Plus.
- ^ "NEW: Man City Also Interested In Witbooi". Soccer Laduma. 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Emile Witbooi: A historic debut for SA's youngest rising star". SuperSport. 3 March 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
- ^ Pongco, Siya (3 March 2025). "SuperSport Schools Plus | Emile Witbooi makes Betway Premiership debut". SuperSport Schools Plus.
- ^ Pongco, Siya (5 October 2024). "SuperSport Schools Plus | Amajita's ninth Cosafa title: A reflection of team spirit, unity". SuperSport Schools Plus.
- ^ Pongco, Siya (12 December 2024). "SuperSport Schools Plus | South Africa misses out on 2025 u17 Africa Cup of Nations qualification". SuperSport Schools Plus.
- ^ "European Clubs Lining Up For Witbooi". Soccer Laduma. 14 April 2025.
- ^ "The U17 World Cup Star You Need to Know About". Football Park. 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Ralani Shows Pride In Son Emile Witbooi's Abilities". Soccer Laduma. 15 January 2025.
- ^ "Emile Witbooi". ROC NATION. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
External links
- Emile Witbooi at Soccerway