Local academy's long-term work yields Premier Soccer League breakthroughs
The Mbombela-founded Mpumalanga School of Excellence (MSE) is marking a significant achievement after two of its former players secured places in the Betway Premiership this season, despite the academy having closed its doors months earlier because of financial strain.
Goalkeeper Blessing Mabunda earned promotion to the top tier with Kruger United FC, who opened their maiden Premiership campaign against Kaizer Chiefs last weekend. Defender Surprise Nhlabathi completed a long-term transfer from Baroka FC to Stellenbosch FC, who said they recruited the 22-year-old to bolster their defensive options ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The dual successes are particularly poignant for MSE founder and former City Press journalist Sizwe Sama Yende, who established the academy in 2019 to pursue a youth development philosophy he felt was lacking elsewhere. Months after announcing the academy’s closure, he described the players’ moves as the fulfilment of a long-held ambition.
“It is mission accomplished,” Sama Yende said, noting that while other academy graduates had been signed by reserve teams, few had broken into first teams at the top level.
Focus on producing complete footballers, not trophies
According to reporting, MSE prioritised holistic player development over short-term silverware, with the founder saying the academy aimed to shape “complete footballers”. By 2025 the academy had placed several players in the National First Division and one in the Eswatini Premier League, demonstrating a track record of moving talent into professional structures.
Nhlabathi said he had long admired Stellenbosch FC and welcomed the chance to compete at a club he described as being of a “high calibre”.
“Stellenbosch is a team of a high calibre, and I’ve been following the club for many years. It’s been a goal of mine to play here, and I’m happy to now have that chance,” Nhlabathi said. “I’m here to fight for the badge. I will do my best in every game to help this club win matches, compete in every competition that we play in, and ultimately achieve our goals.”
Stellenbosch also cited their facilities and coaching environment as factors in the recruitment. Mabunda’s promotion with Kruger United places him in the spotlight as his club takes part in top-flight fixtures, beginning with their recent match against one of South Africa’s most-followed teams.
The twin successes raise questions about pathways for talented young footballers in Mpumalanga and the sustainability of local development programmes. The closure of MSE highlights the financial vulnerability of community-based academies, even when they produce professional talent.
- Founded: Mpumalanga School of Excellence established in 2019
- Key outcomes: Two former MSE players reached the Betway Premiership in 2026
- Players: Blessing Mabunda (goalkeeper) and Surprise Nhlabathi (defender)
| Player | Former Academy | New/Promoted Club |
|---|---|---|
| Blessing Mabunda | Mpumalanga School of Excellence | Kruger United FC (promoted to Betway Premiership) |
| Surprise Nhlabathi | Mpumalanga School of Excellence | Stellenbosch FC (signed from Baroka FC) |
For Mbombela residents who follow local sport, the news is a welcome reminder that the town continues to produce talent capable of reaching the national stage. Yet it also serves as a prompt for conversations between local government, private partners and football stakeholders about funding and support for youth academies — structures that can contribute to both community development and the province’s sporting profile.
The story of MSE underlines the complex balance between nurturing talent and securing the finances needed to sustain such programmes. For now, Mbombela can celebrate two of its own making their way into the country’s top-flight competition.
