Naledi Hlongwane is on the verge of signing a lengthy professional contract with Betway Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs.
Following a standout performance during the Carling All-Stars clash against Magesi FC in December—where he impressively scored two goals in a commanding 3-0 victory—Hlongwane has begun to garner interest from fans and analysts alike.
His extraordinary performance not only earned him the Man of the Match award but also fuelled speculation that he may emerge as a pivotal player for Amakhosi in future.
The talented striker from Sebokeng has already made noteworthy contributions to the Chiefs DDC team, having found the net seven times this season.
It appears that his ascent to the senior squad might have been influenced significantly by his development coach in Vanderbijlpark, Zacharia Nale, who recognised Hlongwane’s abilities and introduced him to the then-youth coach at Chiefs, Arthur Zwane.
If he continues on this trajectory of growth and development, there’s a strong possibility that Hlongwane could secure a permanent place in the senior squad, enhancing his reputation in South African football.
With the buzz surrounding Hlongwane’s future intensifying, Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi has expressed optimism regarding the forward’s potential. The club’s management is engaged in talks with the agency that manages Hlongwane over a professional deal for the 19-year-old.
Nabi has shown a strong inclination to integrate fresh talent into the first team and has become known for putting his faith in academy graduates like Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, Samkelo Zwane, and Mfundo Vilakazi during his first season with Amakhosi.
His successful history of nurturing young talents, such as Clement Mzize at Young Africans SC, suggests he may replicate this success with Hlongwane.