Stan Matthews, SuperSport United CEO, has revealed the club’s striking starlet Khanyiso Mayo is set for a trial with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
The 17-year-old forward has attracted attention after his starring role for South Africa U19 side in the Durban U19 International Football Tournament, in which he won both the Golden Boot and was crowned the best player of the tournament.
Currently a member of SuperSport’s reserve side, the player could well make a move abroad in a bid to further his career.
Matthews confirmed that two Portuguese clubs had approached him to inquire about the young star, with the other side believed to have been Benfica.
‘As we stand right now, there are five of our academy players that have been invited to Europe for trials,’ Matthews revealed at the club’s awards dinner on Thursday.
‘Khanyiso Mayo has been invited to Sporting Lisbon for a trial and, in principle, we have accepted that he should go. We also have another trial opportunity for him at another Portuguese club, should the Sporting one not work out.’
The CEO also explained that the side will do all in their power to secure successful European switches for their young stars, where they will have the opportunity to play at the highest of standards. Matthews also admitted he believed Mayo was too talented to remain at SuperSport.
‘It is a very exciting phase for us and it is not important for us if they don’t make it now, they are all young and still have a chance [in future],’ he concluded.