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Football is the world’s most popular sport.

Hundreds of millions of kids around the world kick a ball around in the hopes that they may one day turn professional.

Only a tiny percentage of those do and an even smaller number go on to play in the highest echelons of the game. You might think you could do better than Harry Maguire (we’ve all thought it, in fairness), but the truth is just existing in the English Premier League means you’re among the elite of the elite.

In order to make The Guardian’s ‘Next Generation 2022: 60 of the best young talents in world football’ list, you have to be a special talent born in the year 2005.

I was scrolling through the list yesterday when I came across one of our own, Luphumlo ‘Kaka’ Sifumba, who is described as “a true prodigy of African football”:

Sifumba’s name has been known in scouting circles since his childhood so it was no real surprise when he began training with Cape Town City’s first team at 15 and impressed in the DStv Diski Challenge a few months later.

“We believe he has the potential to play in Europe in the next few year,” says the Cape Town City head of development, Grant Veitch.

Earlier this year, he made quite an impact on his senior debut for the club:

Special Player. Special talent.

City teenager Luphumlo Kaka Sifumba scores on senior debut with his first touch 🤩#MondayMotivaton #DSTVCompactCup pic.twitter.com/SaXxPx7p1u

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) January 24, 2022

In June, Sifumba became the first South African footballer to sign with internationally-renowned talent management agency, Roc Nation.

They also have the likes of Springboks Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, and Sbu Nkosi on their books, as well as Proteas Temba Bavuma and Lungi Ngidi.

Internationally, they can boast a serious footballing pedigree with Kevin De Bruyne, Marcus Rashford, and Romelu Lukaku on board.

The announcement was made by former Springbok, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira:

Our first South African footballer. One of the brightest talents from across the continent.

Welcome to the family, Luphumlo ‘Kaka’ Sifumba! pic.twitter.com/R3QoGHUHrJ

— Roc Nation Sports International (@RocNationSI) June 23, 2022

It’s hoped that Sifumba can develop into a player that runs the Bafana Bafana engine room (central midfield) for many years to come.

Cape Town City FC certainly believes it has a special talent on its hands:

REMEMBER THE NAME #TBT goes to 16 year old Luphumlo Kaka Sifumba pic.twitter.com/uqafaJwPMm

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) June 23, 2022

Last week, Cape Town City FC U21 Diski team coach Ian Taylor told SuperSport that Sifunda will be a regular this season after spending the past season playing in the SAB League team:

Taylor revealed: “Kaka [Sifumba] has been good so far. He was out injured during pre-season so now we are looking at helping him gain enough mileage, and start scoring and creating he will then move to the first team.

“We are expecting a lot from him as our number 109 and so far he has done well.”

If you flip back through past lists from The Guardian, the 2018 pick of top talent included the likes of Rodrygo (now at Real Madrid) and Eric Garcia (Barcelona).

The 2017 list features Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) and a certain Erling Braut Haaland, then of Molde in Norway. You might have heard of him. He’s doing alright for Manchester City this season.

No pressure, Luphumlo.

See the full 2022 list here.

[sources:guardian&supersport]