South African footballers making their European breakthrough
Back in the 1990’s and heading into the 21st century, South Africa was producing a golden generation of talented footballers, many of whom starred for their national team and at major European clubs. Now those legendary players are retired after setting impressive benchmarks, matching their achievements is the aspiration for every up and coming new talent, although opportunities at leading teams is proving more challenging than ever before.
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Given there are fewer high-profile South Africans playing in top European competitions, compared to previous decades, many are finding it harder to make their breakthrough at leading clubs. However, there are some who are getting their opportunities to shine, which bodes well for Bafana Bafana in the years to come, as the national team seeks to qualify for AFCON 2023 and 2025, followed by the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Luke Le Roux
Youth performances at Ikapa Sporting caught the attention of SuperSport United, where Luke Le Roux would continue his early development, which included loan spells at hometown club Stellenbosh. Before too long and continuing to make good progress, opportunity finally knocked for this promising midfielder with an intriguing European move.
ONE TO REMEMBER!!!
— Prince_Sobayeni_Sports (@PrinceSobayeni1) December 11, 2022
It was a memorable 2022 season for Luke Le Roux who played 26/30 league games for Swedish Allsvenskan side Varbergs BoIs.
He was also voted as the club's Player of the Season in a year that he also managed to make his Bafana Bafana debut.
🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/0WPPqEBQKS
Versatility can often be a great attribute for any modern footballer to possess, which is arguably why Le Roux has made great progress in Sweden, ever since making the move from SuperSport United to Varbergs BoIS in February 2020. The 22-year-old has demonstrated tactical flexibility, able to play in both defensive and attacking midfield roles, alongside operating as a double-pivot in the middle of the pitch.
Since his arrival, Le Roux has made 79 appearances for Varbergs, helping the modest club maintain their status in the Allsvenskan, the top Swedish division. Quality form and consistent performances have made him a key player, who is regularly being linked with interest from other clubs. Having already represented the U17 and U20 sides, Le Roux debuted with the senior South Africa team in November 2022, playing against Mozambique and Angola.
Lyle Foster
The original breakthrough for Lyle Foster came during the 2017-18 season, when Lyle Foster was earning rave reviews at Orlando Pirates, touted as the most promising South African of his generation. Indeed, his performances caught the attention of The Guardian newspaper in England, which earned Foster a place in their 2017 list of up-and-coming stars, featuring amongst the 60 best young talents in world football.
🇿🇦 Lyle Foster bagged a brace for Westerlo in a 6-0 win over Oostende.
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) November 12, 2022
Flying form with 8️⃣ goals – four behind 🇳🇬 Paul Onuachu for the Golden Boot. pic.twitter.com/BDZDSGy1yb
Monaco bought Lyle for €1.2 million in January 2019, although playing opportunities were limited at the French club, making just 2 appearances in Ligue 1. Then came a loan to Cercle Brugge in Belgium, followed by a transfer to Vitória de Guimarães in Portugal, neither of which proved successful. But after impressing during an initial loan to Westerlo in Belgium, helping them achieve promotion, Lyle joined permanently and hasn’t looked back.
Now in the Jupiler Pro League, the 2022-23 season has been impressive for Westerlo and Foster, who has registered 8 goals and 2 assists in 16 appearances. The 22-year-old striker is one of the most consistent performers in his team, as they push for European qualification, which is quite the achievement for any newly promoted side.
Additional Rising Talents
Not every promising footballer is capable of making an instant impact, and taking a couple of steps back can often help get careers back on track. 22-year-old winger Tashreeq Matthews currently doing that, having started his European adventure at Borussia Dortmund in Germany, before being loaned to Dutch side Utrecht. Spells with Helsingborgs and Varbergs followed in Sweden, the country where he currently remains with top-flight outfit Sirius.
Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole was tipped as one of the brightest South African prospect, upon joining the youth system of Sporting, albeit without getting his breakthrough there. Yaya decided to remain in Portugal, switching to B-SAD in 2019 and performing well individually, earning his Bafana Bafana debut in 2022. However, B-SAD were also relegated and now struggle in the second tier, suggesting that Yaya will surely be looking to move elsewhere before too long.
