Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr has revealed the club’s desire to carve the next era of success around its academy ranks.
The Naturena-based club is battling to end their near decade long trophy drought and have placed Tunisian mastermind Nabi Nasreddine at the wheel. Whilst he continues to express his desire to refurbish his squad in the coming transfer windows, the experienced mentor has entrusted some of the club’s development products to spearhead his project so far.
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The likes of Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, Mfundo Vilakazi and Samkelo Zwane have all featured heavily for Amakhosi in the first part of the season and look certain to be a part of Nabi’s future plans.
Following a reasonably successful season for the club in age group football, Motaung has shared the club’s ambition to carve out the next era of a possible golden era on the shoulders of their fresh-faced assassins.
Chiefs hope to forge a path that follows on the footsteps of the likes of Itumeleng Khune, Thabo Mooki and most recently Siyabonga Ngezana, who now plies in trade in Europe.
“We are very proud of our footballing nursery and the progress that is being made. It is essential for a club’s identity to have a solid platform, namely the academy, to instil the essence of what it means to play for Kaizer Chiefs,” he told the club’s website.
“I would say that has been reflected in the Top 3 finishes for three out of our four age group teams in extremely competitive leagues. Particular praise must go to our Under-13s, who were a class apart from their competitors.”
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Motaung continued: “The quality of football and the willingness to fight to the end, even in adverse circumstances, has been truly impressive throughout the levels and much credit must go to the youth development technical staff for the exceptional way they are nurturing and mentoring these boys.
“This continues the rich legacy of Kaizer Chiefs youth development that goes back to the birth of the Club and has produced numerous players who have gone on to achieve legendary status over the years. It fills us with excitement going forward.”