Orlando Pirates Cool Emile Witbooi Interest After Cape Town City Set R18.6m Asking Price
Orlando Pirates’ pursuit of one of South Africa’s brightest young footballers has reportedly hit a significant obstacle, with Cape Town City refusing to lower their valuation of teenage sensation Emile Witbooi.
The Buccaneers are understood to have cooled their interest in the highly rated 17-year-old after learning it would cost around €1 million (approximately R18.6 million) to secure his signature. The reported asking price has prompted Pirates to reassess their transfer plans as they continue rebuilding their squad ahead of the new season.
According to FARPost, Witbooi had emerged as one of the club’s preferred targets following the departure of star winger Relebohile Mofokeng to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Pirates viewed the gifted attacker as a player capable of injecting fresh energy and creativity into their frontline.
However, Cape Town City are reportedly standing firm.
The Cape-based club are under no immediate financial pressure to sell one of the country’s most exciting young prospects and believe his value will only continue to rise. Rather than rushing into a deal, City appear prepared to wait for an offer that reflects both Witbooi’s immense potential and growing international reputation.
That confidence is built on a remarkable rise over the past year.
Witbooi has established himself as one of South African football’s standout teenage talents through a series of eye-catching performances in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and on the international stage with South Africa’s Under-17 national team.
His reputation soared during the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored twice and emerged as one of Amajimbos’ standout performers. Those displays came after another impressive tournament at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he continued to attract attention from scouts representing clubs across South Africa and Europe.
Cape Town City’s belief in the youngster’s future has also been strengthened by previous training opportunities with English Premier League giants Chelsea and Portuguese powerhouse Sporting CP. Those experiences further reinforced the view that Witbooi possesses the quality to compete at the highest level.
Former Cape Town City director of football Jan Vreman Ulderink has previously praised the teenager’s professionalism and mentality, revealing that Witbooi returned to training immediately after the Under-17 World Cup instead of extending his break. His dedication has only strengthened the belief that he is destined for a successful professional career.
While Orlando Pirates may have stepped back for now, the race for Witbooi’s signature appears far from over.
With European interest continuing to gather momentum and Cape Town City confident his market value will increase, the teenager’s next move could ultimately come from abroad rather than within the Premier Soccer League.
For Pirates, the reported R18.6 million valuation may have closed one door. For Emile Witbooi, however, it could be another sign that South African football’s next breakout star is edging ever closer to the European stage.
