Kaizer Chiefs lock down a rising star in massive five-year deal.
Amakhosi continue to put their future first, and their latest move proves it. The Soweto giants are finalizing a five-year deal with emerging midfield talent Manqoba Ozoemena, underlining their deep commitment to youth development and long-term squad building.
This high-stakes contract, which could run until June 2030, reflects Chiefs’ growing focus on elevating academy products into key senior roles. The club’s strategy mirrors those of top rivals like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who’ve recently turned to their development pipelines for top-tier talent.
Ozoemena earns trust after pre-season trip
Ozoemena first caught the club’s attention during a pre-season tour in Turkey, where he trained with the senior team. Chiefs delayed contract talks at the time, focusing on integrating new signings.But after a strong showing in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC), the club decided to move forward with a long-term commitment.
“The talks had started last year after the trip to Turkey but they could not finalise everything as the new technical team had to look at building a team with the other players they had signed,” a source close to the situation explained. “But after his performance in the DDC this season they are believed to have finally reached an agreement for a five-year deal.”
The club clearly sees Ozoemena as a cornerstone for the future. “It’s going to run until June 2030 because they are looking at building a strong squad with some of their development products and Manqoba is one of them,” the source added.
Chiefs opted to nurture Ozoemena in-house
Initially, Chiefs considered loaning out Ozoemena to gain experience. But after internal discussions, the club chose to retain him in the DDC squad — a decision that paid off.
“They believe since he didn’t go out on loan as they had previously planned then it worked well for the club as he has grown very well as a player while playing for the DDC,” the source noted. “Both coaches from the DDC and the senior team have agreed that he deserves a senior team contract.”
Now, with both the development and first-team coaches aligned, Chiefs are ready to reward the young midfielder with a senior team role and a long-term deal.
Chiefs’ future looks bright with academy stars
Chiefs are not just rebuilding, they’re building wisely. By investing in talented academy products like Manqoba Ozoemena, the club sends a strong message. The future of Amakhosi lies in homegrown excellence.
If Ozoemena’s rise is any indication, Chiefs may have just secured one of their next big stars, and fans will want to keep a close eye on what comes next.
Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs lock down a rising star.
Did the Glamour Boys make the right decision with Ozoemena?
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