The country’s most famous‘rich kid, Andile Mpisane, has graced various stages, studios and nations all over the world but it seems the green and watered field of the Premier Soccer League may be his most difficult act yet.
Dubbed as a beneficiary of his family’s success everywhere he goes, Mpisane became the youngest ever chairperson in South African football when he was sworn into the position at 19 years old while his mother Shawn “MaMkhize” Mkhize held the ownership.
Bra Andile Mpisane is starting for Royal AM in the PSL. They can never tell me that Money doesn't have power
— Lifestyle Papi (@SteezyHogz) September 14, 2024
The Mpisane/Mkhize family have dominated headlines throughout the nation for decades due to their flashy lifestyles as well as gaining an interest in the football business, which MaMkhize admitted was her son’s idea.
Having been in academy football in his upbringing, Mpisane has held football as one of his passions since, but not everyone is capable of footing the bill all the way to their dreams.
Having caused a stir with his love life, music and dancing over the years, Mpisane has now seemingly attracted the wrong kind of attention after playing for his club in their opening game of the season.
"There will be times maybe when we will give Andile Mpisane maybe 15 minutes, or 20 minutes depending on what's happening on the field of play"
Royal AM played to a 1-1 draw with Cape Town City at the weekend while the 23-year-old trotted about for 51 minutes before being withdrawn for eventual goal scorer Motebang Sera.
Mpisane made his debut last season and only spent 57 minutes on the field the entire season, but this time club head coach John Maduka threw him in from the get-go and in the process placed the spotlight on his head.
After the match, Maduka explained his decision to have Mpisane, also the chairperson of the club, feature for his side and suggested it might be something that comes with regularity as well.
To be honest, Royal AM players didn’t pass the ball to Andile Mpisane.
— Azania (@azania1023) September 15, 2024
They held him hostage inside the pitch, he had his first touch of the ball on the 9th minute after the game had started.
5 passes in 51 minutes but you could see he has the mind of football. pic.twitter.com/I2rhNXnlUU
"When it comes to the chairman himself, we gave him a chance. He did whatever he was supposed to do, then we had to make a change and put someone else,” he said after the match.
“It is part of football and part of the game. Things like that will happen here and there so many times and life goes on. It’s just a normal situation where if he is given a chance to play, he plays.
“There will be times maybe when we will give him maybe 15 minutes, or 20 minutes depending on what’s happening on the field of play.”
The club is currently pressed for squad depth with the Fifa transfer ban still in place and will certainly need bodies for the duration of the season.
However, with the negative connotations surrounding Mpisane’s involvement on the field, Maduka will be placed under more pressure as the season unfolds with the criticism and suggestions of nepotism expected to increase.