Teen star Kgomotso Madiba takes leap to Brazil with eyes on Europe

The highly regarded teenager has signed a three-year deal with the South American giants after catching their eye during an assessment several months ago.

Speaking to SABC Sport, the junior international said he is thrilled and ready for the life-changing opportunity ahead.

"I'm very excited and I'm very grateful for the opportunity I've gotten in Brazil and I can't wait to get in the field and do what I love the most. I went there to prepare myself to go to Europe because firstly I was about to go to Europe, the problem in Europe was that it was closed, the league had just finished so I had to go to Brazil for preseason,” Madiba said.

“When I got there Fluminense said I will need to check this but I don't know what happened between them and my agent. So, I went there and I just played my football then I think after one month they wanted me, I couldn't sign because I was still 17. So, I'm gonna turn 18 on the 14th of December then I can go back."

Madiba will encounter a different culture but says he is prepared to make sacrifices. 

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"In Brazil they appreciate skillful players and they are very good in technique and food also is different from South Africa but as a player you need to adjust,” he added. 

“We played in a field where it was a bouncy field but you can't just say today you are not playing because of the bouncy field. If you want to be the best you need to adjust," he added.

The teenager says he owes a great deal to Stars of Africa Academy founder Farouk Khan and is determined not to let anyone down.

"They've very excited and I'm also excited and I'm gonna make them proud, even my family, my mother and my father and coach Farouk also, my second family, Stars of Africa. 

“If it wasn't for Stars of Africa and coach Farouk I wouldn't be the person I am today because of them, I'm very grateful and I'm very blessed, thanks to God. I'm very proud to call coach Farouk my father because he's the one, if it wasn't for him, I wasn't gonna be the person I am. Not only the player but the person also."