Kaizer Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) coach, Vela Khumalo, has shed light on the factors hindering the immediate promotion of promising talents like Naledi Hlongwane and Nkosana Mbuthu to the senior squad.
Khumalo’s explanation comes amidst the Amakhosi DDC team’s strong performance, exemplified by their recent 4-0 victory over Golden Arrows at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane at the weekend.
This win propelled them to second place in the standings with 39 points, just two points behind leaders Stellenbosch FC, who have played one more game.
Notably, Hlongwane and Mbuthu showcased their potential by contributing goals in the victory against Arrows, with Hlongwane scoring twice. These performances underscore the talent within the DDC side, which is actively being integrated into the first-team training sessions under coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Mbuthu, for instance, has already gained valuable senior-level experience by starting in Chiefs’ match against Young Africans SC during the Toyota Cup in Bloemfontein.
On the other hand, Hlongwane’s progress was highlighted by his standout performance in the December 2024 Carling Cup, where he scored twice for the Carling All Stars against Betway Premiership side Magesi FC, earning him the Man of the Match award and a R100,000 prize.
Khumalo stated that the club has paused promoting youth players to the first team, pending coach Nasreddine Nabi’s implementation of his tactical philosophy within the senior squad.”
NABI’S STRATEGY KEY TO CHIEFS YOUTH INTEGRATION
“Look, we are giving that [promotion of youngsters to the first team] a little bit of a break,” said Khumalo in Limpopo. “This is because our main team head coach [Nabi] is still trying to get his legs in and his philosophy right.
“So, when that is done, we will look at our development and say, ‘Now we can promote them to senior team.’ But since that is not happening at the moment, we say, ‘Let’s play, maybe create our chances, and see if we can take this title [DDC]’.”