Kaizer Chiefs have several talented players coming through the ranks. One is already in the first team, while two are knocking at the door.
Kaizer Chiefs’ next generation
19-year-old utility defender Kabelo Nkgwesa has been promoted to the club’s first-team setup. With Happy Mashiane failing to impress when given a chance at left-back, Bradley Cross is the club’s only genuine option in that position. Edmilson Dove, just back from injury, is the wrong side of 30 and a natural central defender. Nkgwesa could be an interesting prospect in a position Chiefs have struggled to fill in the trophy drought era.
Naledi Hlongwane could be a good striking prospect
Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly handed a three-year contract to teenage DDC striker Naledi Hlongwane.
“What I can tell you now is that the promotion process is as good as done. They have already allocated jersey number 35 to him, and he travelled with the team to Durban for the game against Sekhukhune United. He was supposed to have played the game, but they changed their mind at the last minute,” the SL source stated on SoccerLaduma.
“Yes, coming to the contract, it’s an initial three-year senior team contract and it will run until June 2028. So, yes, things are working out for the youngsters at Chiefs right now,” he added.
Guided by God
In an interview after his goal-scoring heroics for the All Stars side in the Carling Black Label Cup in December, Hlongwane gave some props to Mfudo Vilakazi, another player who’s come through the Naturena ranks. Aside from the great humility this shows, he’s also clearly a guy who thrives on pressure and big-match environments.
”It’s a good experience for me, as a teenager. All I can say is that I am letting everything be controlled by God. Mfundo, I can say I got used to training with him in the DDC before he was promoted to the first team,” said Hlongwane.
Mfundo ‘Obrigad’ Vilakazi needs no introduction
The 19-year-old winger is still so young but already deeply established in the first-team structures. He’s the perfect guy to bridge the gap between Hlongwane, Nkgwesa and senior football. It also helps for them all to see 20-year-olds Wandile Duba and Mduduzi Shabalala starting matches regularly.
Do you expect to see either of these players feature in the first team before May?
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