The rise of Diski Challenge stars

It has been 10 years since the DStv Diski Challenge was first launched as the MultiChoice Diski Challenge. Over the years, countless graduates have gone on to play in the DStv Premiership, with a select few going on to represent their country.

Grant Kekana – With all his accomplishments over the year’s it’s sometimes easy to forget that Grant Kekana captained an unfancied University of Pretoria side to the inaugural Diski Challenge title in 2015. Assured and comfortable at the back, Kekana also chipped in with the occasional goal as AmaTuks overcame favourites Mamelodi Sundowns in the tournament final.

Evidence Makgopa – Despite his gangly frame and sometimes awkward style, there was no denying the goal scoring ability possessed by Evidence Makgopa as he terrorised Diski Challenge defences during the 2018/19 & 2019/20 seasons before making the transition to Bakgaga’s senior team in early 2020.

Percy Tau – While he might have fallen agonisingly short of helping Mamelodi Sundowns clinch the inaugural Diski Challenge title (14/15), Percy Tau was the name on everyone’s lips at the conclusion of the competition. Tau featured also in the 15/16 season but it was evident he needed a bigger challenge which prompted his career-defining loan move in 2016.

Teboho Mokoena – Often deployed as a centre back during his time with SuperSport United’s Diski Challenge side, Mokoena’s stint in the reserve league during the 2015/16 season helped him mature quickly with a senior team call-up coming at the end of that campaign.

Jayden Adams – Coming up through the ranks at Stellenbosch, Adams was the club’s first academy graduate to earn a professional contract in 2020. Despite already being a first team regular at the time, the technically gifted midfielder helped the Diski Challenge side to a maiden league title in 21/22.

Ricardo Goss – Lamontville Golden Arrows debuted in the Diski Challenge in the 2015/16 season with Ricardo Goss illustrating all the necessary attributes to ascend to the next level as he helped his side take the title.

Oswin Appollis – A 16-year-old Appollis showed glimpses of his wizardry for Ajax Cape Town, where he got his first chance in the Diski Challenge in the 17/18 season. However, it was at SuperSport United in the season’s that followed where he really showed his true potential.

Aubrey Modiba – Initially unearthed during the Ke Yona talent search in 2014, “Postman” starred for now defunct Mpumalanga Black Aces in the inaugural season on the Diski Challenge (14/15) as his side finished third in the competition.

Nkosinathi Sibisi – A modern, mobile centre-back, Sibisi first began honing his leadership skills with Lamontville Golden Arrows’ Diski Challenge side and barely missed a minute in both of the side’s title winning seasons – 2015/16 & 2017/18.

Thapelo Maseko – Maseko’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, so much so that his stay with SuperSport United’s DDC side was relatively short lived. His glittering performances for the reserve side saw him elevated to the first team at the beginning of 2022.