Teen star Lisakhanya lights up the pitch for Cape Town Roses

Teenage sensation Lisakhanya Situlweni continues to be a shining star for Cape Town Roses. The 15-year-old baller from Gugulethu knows exactly where the net is and keeps finding it with ease.

At the recently concluded Engen Champ of Champs tournament, she was once again among the top scorers, proving that her talent keeps reaching for new heights. She was a joint top scorer with teammate Siyamthanda Macingwana, netting seven goals.

This comes after she scooped the top scorer’s award during the Cape Town leg of the same tournament, an achievement she’s managed for the second year in a row. Lisakhanya is on a steadily rising path to football stardom.

A pupil at Bothasig High School, Lisakhanya is one of the most promising young footballers of the women's game in the country. Her performances show that she’s not just playing for the moment but building toward what could be a solid future in the national women’s side, Banyana Banyana. Her name is already making waves in development circles, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes a household one.

Key to her growth is the mentorship of Xolile Madikane, a respected development coach known for his hands-on approach. Madikane has a solid track record of nurturing talent, including Banyana Banyana regulars like the Cesane twins, and his guidance is clearly shaping Lisakhanya into something special.

Speaking about the young star, Madikane is cautious about putting too much pressure on her shoulders.

“I’ve been working with Lisakhanya since she was 11,” said Madikane.

“She is already in the national team setup, and yes, I want to see her playing professionally, but school must come first for now.”

That balanced mindset is part of what makes Lisa’s journey so promising. Even while dreaming big, she remains grounded in her education and development, something Madikane insists on as both a coach and a school teacher.

Earlier this year, she was part of the South African National under-15 African Championship CAF Schools team, where she also showed her prowess in front of the goals on their way to a semi-final finish.

“She has always had a very high work rate, she’s extremely offensive-minded, can use both feet, and never stops running,” adds Madikane.

Lisakhanya has just returned from the Champ of Champs tournament, where she helped Cape Town Roses secure a respectable third-place finish. While many teens are still figuring things out, she is already writing the first chapters of what looks to be a remarkable football career.