Baroka chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has defended his decision to hand a contract to 16-year-old son Seboledi Mphahlele.
The midfielder was one of 11 new signings announced by the Motsepe Foundation Championship side ahead of the new season.
Mphahlele has denied that his son received special treatment and insisted he earned his contract just like everyone else at the club.
The chairman said on IOL: “He was not selected by me.
“He was selected by the coach, players, technical team, and supporters.
“Everyone was happy with him during the trials. I did not tell them that he was my son.
“I was sitting with one of the old supporters of Baroka FC who happens to own a football club here. When we were seated he was also always mentioning him and when the conversation ended that is when he knew that the boy he was mentioning was my son.
“So he is here on merit and not here because he is my son but he can play good football.”
Baroka kicks off their season at home to Orbit College on Sunday.