Cemran Dansin (foto: Twitter)
Nineteen-year-old Cemran Dansin marked his first start for Orlando Pirates with a sensational long-range volley against Mamelodi Sundowns, earning his team a 1-1 draw and instant national fame.
South Africa may have just witnessed the birth of its next football star. In the country’s biggest derby, between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, 19-year-old Cemran Dansin scored a goal that could easily enter the running for the FIFA Puskás Award.
Before kickoff, Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou faced criticism for his bold decision to start Dansin, giving the young prospect his first-ever appearance in the starting eleven. The move meant benching South African international Thalente Mbatha, a regular presence in midfield.
But the Moroccan manager’s faith paid off in spectacular fashion. With Pirates trailing 0-1 and the game slipping away, Dansin produced a moment of magic — unleashing a stunning 20-meter volley that flew past the goalkeeper and into the top corner, sending the crowd into raptures.
The strike not only salvaged a 1-1 draw for Orlando Pirates but also announced the arrival of a new star on the South African football scene. Local media have already hailed Dansin as one of the nation’s brightest young hopes in years, with fans flooding social media to replay his goal from every angle.
“It’s one of those goals you can’t forget,” wrote one South African outlet, calling it “a goal worthy of global attention.”
For a country still searching for its next global football icon, Cemran Dansin’s debut could mark the start of something special. His stunning volley — equal parts technique, confidence, and flair — is already being described as a Puskás Award candidate. You can watch his masterpiece in the attached video.