SuperSport United Development Academy prospect Thabang Mahlangu debuted for the senior team against Cape Town City in the midweek DStv Premiership match on Wednesday night.

The match was held at the Cape Town Stadium.

The 18-year-old-Sebokeng-born young centre forward came off the bench in the 84^th in a double-substitution for another Academy graduate Gape Moralo while Gamphani Lungu made way for Tendamudzimu Matodzi who is also an Academy product in the 84^th minute.

The introduction of the pair made a huge difference and changed complexion of the nail-biting encounter.

When Mahlangu got onto the pitch, United were chasing for an equalizer and they exerted some more pressure to the home side.

Mahlangu was involved in some few interplay movements and Matsatsantsa finally levelled matters from Lyle Lakay’s golden left foot in the last few seconds of the match.

The young Mahlangu told the SuperSport United website that head Coach Gavin Hunt said he must make sure that the opposition defenders feel his presence.

“I felt proud of myself because I was doubting my abilities and once coach Gavin Hunt came to me I felt different. Also, teammates and some of the senior players gave me some advice and really hyped me up for sure. I was excited to play my first match with the senior team and it doesn’t stop there.

The coach stressed that I must do what I do best which is to bully the defenders and try and make runs behind so that we can turn the defence around,” said the Matsatsantsa Academy product Mahlangu.

Mahlangu joined the United Academy back in 2019, played in the SAFA Under17 squad and won the COSAFA Cup in 2020.  

Last season, the young centre-forward formed part of the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) squad that won the maiden title.