NIDA Sports Agency, spearheaded by football agent Nimrod Mbhalati, is on a continuous mission to unearth future Bafana Bafana stars with their seventh edition talent search program at Giyani Stadium, Limpopo, on the horizon.

The trials, set to take place on 28 June from morning until noon, are aimed at providing players under the age of 23 with an opportunity to showcase their skills in the field of play and a chance to enhance their young careers.

Mbhalati represents several top-flight players, including Orlando Pirates winger Katlego Otladisa, Thato Khiba of Stellenbosch FC, and highly-rated Marumo Gallants midfielder Masindi Nemtajela, who was part of the CHAN and COSAFA Cup squads for South Africa and is rumoured to be on his way to join Pirates. 

With their next project fast approaching, the prominent deal closer shed light on his role as an agent during the trials.

“My role is to scout talented players to help them secure contracts with professional teams,” Mbhalati exclusively told Sportswire.

When quizzed about what successful players can expect post-trials, Mbhalati swiftly responded, “Selected players are going to play friendly games against professional teams in Gauteng, where scouts from different clubs will also be in attendance,” he added.

“This will happen during pre-season, and we aim to market them and then obviously they will get an opportunity to be managed by me.”

While he already has a few clients plying their trade in the lucrative Betway Premiership, Mbhalati has set his sights on other loftier ambitions, stating that he yearns to see some of his players turning out in Africa’s premium club competition.

“I want to see one of my players playing in the CAF Champions League, and the advice I can give to young and aspiring professional football players is to keep working hard and stay disciplined, opportunities will come,” the agent continued.

The trials promise to uncover more rough diamonds, with Nemtajela serving as a testimony, having been discovered through the same program after travelling from Chiawelo in Soweto to try his luck in the North, where he stood out amongst others.