Khulekani Nxumalo: KwaZulu-Natal talent earns Manchester City trial after Touré referral

The distance between Inchanga in KwaZulu-Natal township and the elite corridors of Manchester City is vast, but for Khulekani “Sdah” Nxumalo, that gap has narrowed significantly after he secured a two-week trial with the former English champions.

Nxumalo, developed at the British Football Academy in Pinetown, Durban, has been invited to train with City’s Under-21 side in what represents the most significant opportunity of his young career.  The trial follows internal recommendations after former City midfielder Yaya Touré viewed footage of the South African and was sufficiently impressed to flag his talent.

Touré then relayed his assessment to his brother Kolo Touré, who is an assistant of ‘super manager’ Pep Guardiola, prompting Manchester City’s international recruitment department to initiate contact and formalise the trial.

For Nxumalo,18, who was born and raised in the small township of in the KZN hills between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, the opportunity is the realisation of an ambition he has openly spoken about for years.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to get an opportunity to play in England one day and everyone at home knows about it because I would speak about it all the time. So now that I have this chance, it’s just great motivation for me to work even harder than I’ve been in the past.”

During the two-week period, commencing Monday, Nxumalo will be immersed in a high-performance environment, training daily with some of City’s most promising young players. The assessment will focus on his technical quality, tactical understanding and ability to adapt to the speed and physical demands of European football.

Interest in the teenager has been building steadily. 

In South Africa, Betway Premiership sides Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu FC and Durban City FC have all shown interest in him. 

In England, Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers also continue to monitor the progress of the young attacking wizard. However, the Manchester City invitation represents a different level entirely, with the potential to open an unprecedented door for a South African footballer.

“If I do get an opportunity to stay and be a part of the club and play for the first team some day, it would be huge because I’d be the first ever South African to be a part of and play for Manchester City. It would play a huge part in making a lot of other South Africans believe that it’s possible.”

While the trial does not guarantee a contract, it marks a defining moment in Nxumalo’s journey — one that carries hope not only for him, but for countless young players watching from townships across the country.