Gugulethu teen signs with Mamelodi Sundowns
Ahlumile Bashman is officially a Mamelodi Sundowns footballer.
The lanky Gugulethu prodigy netted a brace to secure his first silverware with the Brazilians at the under-13 Iber Cup in Gauteng last December.
A month before joining Sundowns, Ahlumile was named Player of the Year at Cape Town Spurs’ Youth Academy Awards.
In October, he impressed for Spurs at the Kapstadt Cup in Observatory, where Sundowns took notice of him.
Earlier last year, Ahlumile captained Bonga Primary to the Siyavuselela knockout league final against winners Hlengisa Primary, in Gugulethu.
His mother, Khuzeka Bashman, said she is proud of his achievements.
“When he is in front of the net, it is safe to say it will be a goal. He started playing football in the streets when he was eight. People said he is talented and I should find him a club. I think he gets it from my uncle; he was a talented footballer in his time.”
During the off-season, Banyana Banyana twins Noxolo and Sinoxolo Cesane, who usually train with Belinda Kings Football Academy in Montana, invited Ahlumile to join them on one of their outings.
“The twins stay a few houses down the street. They came back saying they found him a club in Montana,” said Bashman.
When Ahlumile turned 10, Belinda Kings’s chairman, Sibusiso Nkosi, took him to trial at Spurs. He impressed in one day and joined the Spurs set-up.
“At that time, we spent about a month on trials at Ubuntu Football Academy. Sibu asked us to take him to Spurs. There were about 150 other children, and I got a call that he made the Spurs team,” said Bashman.
She said she is grateful for the experience and support Ahlumile received throughout his footballing journey, especially during his time at Spurs.
“I was scared for him to move to another city, but they sat me down and said it is the best decision for his future,” said Bashman.
Ahlumile captained Spurs to the under-12 Kapstadt Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns.
Nkosi confirmed that Ahlumile has signed a development contract, renewable annually until he reaches the under-21 level.
Ahlumile started Grade 7 at Queenswood Primary this week, while residing at the Sundowns Academy in Pretoria. He will celebrate his 13th birthday on Friday, January 17.
