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Cape Town - Bidvest Wits teenage sensation Kobamelo Kodisang has highlighted his ambitions for the future after an impressive start to life with the Premiership champions.
Kodisang joined the Clever Boys from Platinum Stars during the off-season after rejecting to extend his stay at boyhood club - which raised a few eyebrows amongst the local football fraternity.
Having graduated from the Dikwena Academy, Cavin Johnson handed the precocious talent his first-team debut at the age of 15 and the South Africa youth international went on to feature 25 times for the Rustenberg based side.
However, with Johnson receiving his marching orders and the rumours of a potential change of ownership at Stars, the 18-year-old jumped ship to Gavin Hunt's side - in fear of his career stalling with the uncertainty surrounding his former club.
"At first, I thought it was going to be a tough transition when I first arrived (at Wits)," he told The Star. "But I just kept on being positive and kept (in contact) a group of people who have the same mindset as me. And that helped a lot.
"Opting not to renew with Dikwena wasn't a tough decision from my side. Them being my home team I grew up playing for, approached me with a deal to possibly extend my stay with them going into the new season, but I politely declined.
"And the reason I did that was because there was a whole lot of uncertainty surrounding the appointment of the new coach, and also rumours about the club being sold. And so that's why I took the risk."
With Hunt having a reputation of honing young talents like Benni McCarthy and more recently Al Ahly and Bafana Bafana forward Phakamani Mahlambi - Kodisang admits he jumped at the chance to work with the four-time winning Premiership manager.
"And that's one of the reasons I decided to join Wits," the Amajita midfielder said. "Part of my decision was that I know that coach Hunt likes to play youngsters, you will have to work for it in training, though. I also knew that I was going to get the desired game time after coming here.
"Just looking at my progression from the national Under-17s, Under-20s, Platinum Stars and now Wits, I'm happy with my growth. My goal is to one day earn the dream move of going abroad."
After featuring in the U17 World Cup and the U20 World Cup for South Africa the teenage play-maker, who's scored once in six appearances for the Students this season, says he intends to make a name for himself on the global stage.
"The plan is to start in small countries (in Europe) and work my way to the bigger and well-known leagues from there onwards. Countries like Croatia, Czech Republic, Portugal and maybe Belgium as well. That's where I want to start.
"I believe starting there will help build my confidence (of being a success in bigger leagues) in Europe. My dream is to play for any of the English Premier League teams out in England. That's my goal."
