Cape Town City FC have decided to retain teenage winger Emille Witbooi for their promotion push this season. Club chairman John Comitis confirmed talks were held with Orlando Pirates but no agreement was reached.
Comitis said the club was happy to listen to offers and spoke to the PSL champions, but nothing materialised. He stated the team is now settled and focused on their matches game by game. The chairman explained that once it became clear Pirates and other interested clubs could not meet their valuation, the decision was made to keep the 18-year-old attacker.
Cape Town City had set an asking price of €1 million, approximately R18.7 million, for the promising winger. Orlando Pirates, who were seeking to strengthen their attack following Relebohile Mofokeng's departure to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, identified Witbooi as a potential replacement. However, they were not prepared to meet the fee.
Comitis expressed confidence that the right value for the player will be secured if a transfer happens later. He noted there is still significant interest in Witbooi and something could still be done before the end of the season. The player himself is believed to have been keen on the move, seeing it as a platform for a future move abroad.
Comitis provided further context, stating that the club had received several offers for Witbooi, but none matched their valuation. He emphasized that while the club is not a selling club by nature, they are pragmatic and will consider serious offers that reflect the player's worth and potential. The chairman also revealed that Witbooi has a long-term contract with Cape Town City, which puts the club in a strong negotiating position.
The decision to keep Witbooi is a major boost for City's immediate ambitions. The club currently sits third in the First Division standings with 11 points from six matches, just three points behind leaders Magesi. Their recent form has been strong, with four wins and a draw from their last five outings, a run that includes Tuesday's 3-2 comeback victory over Gomora United.
With the promotion battle heating up, retaining a key attacking talent was deemed essential. The team has scored nine goals this season and will look to continue their momentum in their next fixture away to Orbit College on Friday. Comitis reiterated that the club is fighting to return to the Premier Soccer League and everyone involved knows the value Witbooi brings to that fight. For now, the young winger remains a Cape Town City player as they prepare for the trip to face the 14th-placed side.
Looking ahead, Comitis said the focus is entirely on securing promotion, and Witbooi is a central part of that project. He acknowledged the player's professional attitude despite the transfer speculation and expects him to continue contributing significantly on the pitch. The chairman concluded that the club's stance is clear: they are fully committed to their promotion goal, and all decisions, including player retention, are made with that primary objective in mind.
Background and full detail: KickOff
