Emile Witbooi

Emile Amoreece Witbooi (born 28 August 2008) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for South African Premier Division club Cape Town City.

Emile Witbooi was added to the yearly The Guardian list of the best 2008 talents, with him being the only South African on the list.

Club career A youth product of the Tshwaragano All Stars and the School of Excellence, Witbooi joined the academy of Cape Town City on 20 January 2024. In November, he went on a month-long trial with the Premier League club Chelsea. He made his senior and professional debut with Cape Town City as a substitute in a 2–0 South African Premier Division loss to on 2 March 2025. At 16 years, six months and five days, he was the youngest ever debutant for his club, and the ninth youngest in the history of the league.

Youth international career Witbooi was part of the South Africa U20s that won the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup. Later that year, he played for the South Africa U17s at the 2024 COSAFA Under-17 Championship. In March 2025 he again was called up for the South Africa U17s for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Personal life Witbooi was born in Kimberley, Northern Cape to his mother Avril Witbooi, a civil servant, and Surprise Ralani, his biological father, who was a professional soccer player. On 17 February 2025, Emile Witbooi signed to Roc Nation.

Honours South Africa U20 COSAFA U-20 Cup: 2024