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Daily Maverick
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Long journey from Kriefgat — Stellies soccer star Tylon Smith nets deal with UK's Queens Park Rangers
After years of hardship and grit the determined 20-year-old central defender has landed a life-changing deal with Queens Park Rangers. Many a night as he lay on the small bed that his divorced mother, Nicolette, insisted he slept on, while she slept on the floor in the wooden structure that was their home, young Tylon Christopher Smith vowed: one day he would make it big as a soccer player. Then he would buy his mother a decent, comfortable home. These weren't just words to console himself – they were serious intentions. Smith, the youngest of three children, saw his mother refusing to allow poverty to destroy her family. He watched and learnt from her as she shared what little she had with others who had less than she had in Kriefgat, an informal settlement in Jamestown on the fringes of Stellenbosch, where they lived. In Kriefgat, a derogatory Afrikaans word that means the rear end of a lobster, community activist Nicolette inspired her son, who was born on 9 May 2005. They were very poor – so poor that he remembers playing soccer matches in a pair of borrowed boots until the captain of Stellenbosch FC gave him his first pair of boots when he was 14 years old. Smith cannot remember having had his own ball to dribble or kick around as a child. As a youngster, he played as a striker, a position that means plenty of goals. Today, as a 20-year-old soccer player, he is a central defender: a stopper of strikers. In an interview early in July, Smith, who has developed into one of South Africa's hottest young football talents, spoke about the impact of his parents' divorce, poverty, hard times and better times ahead. He is on the cusp of making it big in England, having been offered a four-year contract with the English side Queens Park Rangers (QPR), who play in the EFL Championship, the division below the Premier League. QPR has been quietly tracking his progress for the past few years. Unbeknown to him, a scout was watching the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier this year. South Africa beat Morocco 1-0 in the final in Cairo on 18 May. Smith impressed as he marshalled the defence throughout the tournament. He was named player of the tournament. The tournament convinced QPR that they would have to sign the young man from Stellenbosch. He was invited to hold discussions with the club via Zoom. 'I was shocked to learn that QPR had been monitoring me for more than a year. They showed me a contract. This was a life-changing offer. I will now be able to give my mother a better life. I've always said I would buy her a house. Now I'll do it.' Charming, confident and oozing maturity and humility, Smith carries the nickname Rafa. In the comfortable lounge of the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, where he now lives, he recalled times when he had no money for the minibus taxi fare from Kriefgat to Stellenbosch. 'I would say, 'It's fine, Ma'. I didn't skip practices on these occasions. A friend and I would jog along the R44 to Stellenbosch FC's training ground. We didn't beg people for lifts. We jogged.' That was a 7km run, followed by a full practice session. Running was one of his favourite sports. Indeed, he got into Stellenbosch Primary School on an athletics scholarship given to him because of his promise as a 100m sprinter. This is a former model C school. Attending it was a big step into the unknown for a township boy. 'They didn't look down on me. I was welcomed,' he said. From primary school, he had a short stint at Stellenbosch High School. He struggled to get to school and back every day because the family didn't have money and Smith urged his mother to transfer him to a school closer to home in Jamestown, which she did. When he was in Grade 11, he was included in Stellenbosch FC's Diski team (reserve team) and was selected to play in a tournament in India. On his return, he was offered a contract. 'I was serious about football. I had to decide whether I would sign for Stellenbosch's under-21 team or concentrate on school. I couldn't do both, because as a professional footballer I would have to practise in the morning when I was supposed to be in a classroom. I chose football.' Committing himself to Stellenbosch FC entailed moving into digs at the club's soccer academy, which is at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport next to the Eerste River in the hub of Stellenbosch. Life at the academy includes bonuses such as regular and special meals prepared to build up the bodies of young soccer professionals, a warm bed and a room that he shares with another player, his bestie Kegan Johannes. Last season, he said, his mother watched two of his games. 'She always said that she would like to come to more matches. She couldn't afford to come to more games. She also has a hip problem and can't walk normally.' The QPR offer will change his life radically. He will earn 'money that people can only dream of. My mother lives with my sister, Chantall. Now I can buy a house for my mother… even one for myself should I want to. My mother's influence on my life is huge. She is a praying person. Her strong moral values and discipline kept me away from the distractions of township life like hanging out in shebeens or nightclubs.' He carries his nickname, Rafa, with pride and in honour of former Stellenbosch FC captain Rafiek (Rafa) de Goede and not the Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal. 'I was a ball boy and used to retrieve the balls that the senior players kicked off the field when they played. Rafa was also a defender. I liked his style. He gave me my first pair of boots: a pair of Adidas. Having my own boots meant a lot to me.' Smith is in England this week for a battery of strenuous medical tests as a prelude to signing his contract to play professional football in the country. It's been a long, hard journey from Kriefgat to English football, but one that was worth travelling. When Daily Maverick spoke to Nicolette, she couldn't contain her excitement and pride. She is overjoyed that she will be able to fly to London to watch her son play. ''We have been through dark times. I'm so happy that things are working out. I've prayed so hard. Tylon knows, all glory goes to God.' DM Dennis Cruywagen is a journalist and the author of Brothers in War and Peace, and The Spiritual Mandela. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
The South African
29-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
OFFICIAL: Bafana Bafana's rising star poached by English giant!
A month after winning player of the tournament at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Bafana Bafana prospect Tylon Smith has reportedly agreed terms with Championship side Queens Park Rangers. Hailing from Stellenbosch's academy, the 20-year-old defender is expected to soon travel to London to complete his medical. Bafana Bafana are now amongst the best top 10 teams in Africa according to the latest FIFA rankings. Image: X/BafanaBafana Bafana Bafana fans will have to wait until September 1 to cheer on their side. That day, they will take on Lesotho in matchday 7 (out of 10) of the World Cup qualifiers before facing Nigeria a week later. As things stand, South Africa lies at the top of the log, five points ahead of joint second-placed holders Rwanda and Benin. Meanwhile, head coach Hugo Broos made a wild prediction regarding the future of Bafana youngster Relebohile Mofokeng, who is heavily linked with a move abroad following another successful season for the 20-year-old. 'Talking about Mofokeng, I just hope that he makes the right decisions. And that he is not going to a team where he won't play,' said Broos. 'I see all the things around, Barcelona and Rangers and… (sighs) I'm a little bit afraid. I just hope that the people around make the choice of the best sportive solution and not the best financial solution. 'Okay, I think his parents want the best for him, that's for sure. But there is another guy who wants to win a lot of money also, but that's the problem. But ok, let's hope, maybe I talked too soon about that. 'We'll see. I think in June, Rele will not be a player of Orlando Pirates anymore, but a good choice is very important.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cape Town City may face life in NFD without talented youngsters
Cape Town City will now have to prepare for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after being officially ruled out of the promotion/relegation playoffs earlier this week, bringing a long and difficult season to a disappointing close. The Citizens, who ended the campaign 15th on the Premiership table, fell short when it mattered most and must now regroup for the challenges of second-tier football. The Cape side paid the price for their inconsistency throughout a campaign that only saw them get seven victories from 28 matches and their turn out in the playoffs also lacked the urgency the club has been known for in the last 10 years. Their 1-0 defeat to Orbit College handed the Rustenburg-based side a historic promotion to the top flight. The result took Orbit to an unassailable eight points in the mini-league, ending City's survival hopes with a game to spare. At the start of the season, few would have predicted this outcome for City, especially with the wealth of talent still within their squad. As the dust settles, attention now turns to three of their brightest young stars—players who could soon be on the radar of top-flight clubs. The 20-year-old forward enjoyed a landmark year, becoming one of the few South African players to lift the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. His rise continued with nine league appearances for City this season, playing a role in their battle to retain top-flight status. Ahshene's technical ability and composure in the final third make him one of the most exciting prospects in South African football. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and with City now relegated, clubs in the Betway Premiership are likely to circle for his signature. Jaedin Rhodes In a season filled with setbacks, Jaedin Rhodes emerged as one of the few consistent performers for City. The 22-year-old midfielder featured in 23 matches, showcasing his resilience and maturity despite the team's struggles. Rhodes, who received a national team call-up to the Bafana Bafana Cosafa Cup squad last year, remains a highly valued asset. His creative spark and tactical intelligence could be central to City's hopes of bouncing back quickly. However, the lure of top-flight football may make it difficult for the club to hold onto him, especially with his stock rising. Emile Witbooi
TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Amajita hero Kekana praises teamwork for goal that won SA the U-20 Afcon
Amajita's U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final hero Gomolemo Kekana, 18, is in no rush to play top-flight football, insisting he's still developing. He said his focus is on trying to return to his best shape after a long layoff last year. Kekana is on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns' DStv Diski Challenge team and has trained with the senior Brazilians on a few occasions. He engraved his name in South African football folklore by scoring the goal that saw Amajita beat Morocco 1-0 in the U-20 Afcon final in Cairo this month. 'God's timing is forever perfect, so I won't rush the process,' Kekana said. 'I am trusting the process without putting pressure on myself to say now I must play for the first team. 'I will continue to work hard and it's up to the coaches to decide whether to promote me. I am not in a rush. I've come from a long-term injury last year, so my focus is to accumulate as many minutes as I can to return to my best shape.'
Saba Yemen
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Saba Yemen
Nigeria takes third place in U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt
Cairo - Saba: The Nigerian national team claimed third place in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Sunday, after defeating Egypt 4-1 on penalties. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after regular time. Omar Osama gave Egypt the lead in the third minute, before Bidemi Olalekan equalized for Nigeria in the 47th minute. After the match ended, the match went to penalty kicks, which Nigeria won 4-1. Nigeria secured third place for the fifth time in its history, having won the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times. Nigeria and Egypt have both qualified for the U-20 World Cup, which will be held next September in Chile, along with the two finalists of the current Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa and Morocco. The Nigerian team lost in the semi-finals to South Africa by a clean goal, the same result by which the Egyptian team lost to its Moroccan counterpart in the same round. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
