Alex wonder kid misses out on Real Madrid call up

Spain’s Real Madrid may appear to be no longer chuffed by the slick soccer skills of Alexandra’s Tshepang Phala, but the 14-year-old continues to make waves on the local football scene.

Phala has played a pivotal role in the success of his team, Malandela Mighty Heroes, which has just bagged the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association’s U15 league.

Phala also showed his grit and how nimble-footed he is when he played in the festival match on 15 November to mark the season end of the Alex football league.

In this festival match, the winners of the league and runners-up were pitted against each other as part of the elaborate celebrations as the league drew to a close.

League champions, Mighty Heroes, entertained runners-up, United Stars, in the festival match and Phala never disappointed. He rose to the occasion and not only mesmerised the scores in attendance, but also scored two of the five goals for his team, beating Stars 5–1.

So, if Real Madrid continues to drag its feet on the trip to allow the boy to travel to train with the Spanish giants, Phala could easily land another deal if other scouts pounce on him.

Phala was due to have travelled to Spain in early September for training after the Spanish giants spotted him in Alexandra and were delivered a video of him.

Impressed with his moved in the video, the Spanish giants then promised to fly the Grade 8 Realogile High School pupil to join them for close to two weeks of training with none other than talented Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Phala maybe nicknamed ‘Messi’ in the local football circles – taking from Real’s crosstown rivals, Barcelona’s Argentinian international, Lionel Messi, but the Alex lad is still determined to meet Messi’s nemesis in the Spanish league.

The ‘verbal deal’ was that once Real had finalised all the arrangements for the young star, they would then call his coach, Vincent Rammoni, to notify him and also pass onto him the itinerary and travel arrangements for young Messi.

But the waiting game never stops for Messi and Rammoni fears Real could be chickening out of the promise. Although this deal had all the ingredients of a potentially life-changing opportunity for the young star, Rammoni has not closed all the doors.

“I still believe Real will show up to honour their promise, but what I can say now is that when one door closes, another one opens, hence I still believe Messi will get another deal soon,” Rammoni said of one of the many great youngsters coming out of Alex football.

How do you rate the football skills of promising Alex youngster Tshepang Phala?

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