Do Leicester City have a future star in South Africa's Khanya Leshabela?

It’s not everyday that we get to hear an African, never mind a South African player get signed up by one of the teams in the English premier league until recently. Youngster Khanya Leshabela recently signed his first ever professional contract, penning a three-and-a-half year deal with 2015/2016 Premier League champions, Leicester City.

“Remember the name Khanya Leshabela.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Having left his home country as a child,  the attacking midfielder joined the Foxes' academy in March 2013. Since then, Leshabela has slowly been progressing through the ranks at Leicester over the last couple of years, shining for the Foxes’ academy where his magnificent performances eventually caught the eye of U-23s manager Steve Beagkehole. It therefore came as no surprise when the youngster was promoted to the club’s U-23s this season after impressing at U-19 level across the course of 2017/18 while he also featured for the club in the 2016/17 UEFA Youth League. Most recently, Leshabela was on the brink of his much-awaited debut when he was named on the bench in the Carabao Cup against Southampton back in November 2018. His rapid development with the Foxes saw him called up to the first-team by manager Claude Puel when Leicester faced Southampton in the EFL Cup.

The dynamic youngster usually operates out wide on either flank, where he’s able to use his speed and trickery to blaze past defenders. However, he has also shown traits of versatility in his game by playing in other positions including the number-10 role as well as playing as a false nine. Commenting on his style of play, Leshabela alluded, "I would say I'm a midfielder that can operate anywhere across the midfield and I like to get on the ball and create things”.

In recent years it's been rare for a South African player to play in the English Premier League, largely due to difficulties in attaining a work permit. In late 2018, the youngster criticised the national team selectors for their lack of support in tracking his progress in England. It is said that Leshabela is very keen on representing his home country.

While Leshabela may not yet be a household name within the South African football circles, he has stamped his authority and his hard work has earned him the recognition he deserves. Having signed his new contract, all eyes will be on Leshabela to make his debut and become a success at the Foxes. One would think having experienced players like Jamie Vardy and support from his fellow African colleagues including Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho will help young Leshabela settle well at the club. Blessed with immense talent, it is only a matter of time before football lovers stand up and take notice of the 19-year-old. Remember the name Khanya Leshabela.

Christmas Cheer for Africans in the Premier League

Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (9) celebrates with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he scores his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 1, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Matchday 18 of the English Premier League, the final round of matches before Christmas, was headlined by African stars – a befitting festive gift for the continent and the world. We captured a few of the moments we wouldn’t want anyone to miss.

Double Christmas gift from Santa Aubameyang

Arsenal’s inform striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added to his tally by netting a brace that handed the Gunners a 3-1 win over Burnely at the Emirates. He opened the scoring with a sliced out foot shot as the end of a flowing Arsenal move, engineered by Mesut Ozil. The Gabonese international then doubled the advantage in the second period, blasting the net from the near post after his strike partner, Alexandre Lacazette had ushered the ball into his path. Auba is still top of the premier league scoring charts on 12 strikes followed by Mo Salah and Harry Kane who are both on 11.

One season wonder?

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on September 22, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 21, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

Magical Mohamed Salah remains the talisman for top of the table Liverpool with his latest showing being a sublime performance at Wolves. The Egyptian drew first blood by beating Rui Patricio with the deftness of touch struck with his shoelaces as he finished Fabinho’s cross which was something a little over half a chance. He then setup Virgil Van Dijk for his first premier league goal for Liverpool with perfectly timed cross into the box. The matched ended 2-0 to the Reds and the only questions asked after the game were of those who had labelled the 26-year-old a one season wonder. Apparently, they are nowhere to be found.

Schlupp helps Palace engineer the biggest of upsets

The biggest piece of news from the weekend was that of Manchester City’s surprise 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace at home. The champions opened the scoring through IIkay Gundogan’s perfect header but it was the Ghanaian, Jeffrey Schlupp who levelled matters from an unlikely scenario, dribbling past two defenders before slotting the ball past Ederson. Townsend, Milivojevic then got in on the act, wrapping up the points for Roy Hodgson’s men before De Bruyne scored a consolation goal in the closing moments of the game.

Abroad: Obafemi Martins to sit on the sidelines for the next six or seven months

Nigerian forward, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins picked up an injury on Tuesday during his club’s Asian Champions League group stage match. The Shanghai Shenhua forward had to leave the pitch halfway through the match due to a torn hamstring as revealed by his club on Wednesday. Martins, 33, will be out for at least six months meaning that he is ruled out of selection to join the Super Eagles’ squad for the 2018 FIFA World cup finals commencing on the 14th of June - a blow to the veteran and perhaps the inconsistent Nigerian frontline.

To literally add insult to injury, Martins’ Shanghai Shenhua did not make it to the knockout stages of the Asian Champions League as a result of that 2-2 draw against Kashima Antlers. A man in form, who grabbed a hatrick in Shenhua’s 4-2 win over Hebei China Fortune on Saturday will have to sit out the greater part of the 2018 Chinese Super League tournament.

The former Newcastle and Inter Milan striker  joined the CSL side at the start of the 2016 season from Major League Soccer side, Seattle Sounders.