Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi and senior academy coach Arthur Zwane have echoed the same confidence in a Kaizer Chiefs youngster’s potential.
Zwane, who served as head coach during the 2022/23 season, has returned to the club’s youth development program.
Following Nabi’s arrival, the Tunisian coach, a firm believer in youth, has looked at the club’s academy. Interestingly, the new Amakhosi mentor and Zwane have said the same thing about Nkosana Mbuthu, the 19-year-old prospect at the club.
Mbuthu, son of former Amakhosi midfielder Patrick ‘Ace’ Mbuthu, is garnering attention from both his current coach and former youth coach.
Zwane, who had the opportunity to coach Mbuthu at the youth level, highlights the youngster’s lineage, being the son of former player Ace, whom Zwane played alongside. He sees a bright future for Nkosana but stresses the need for unwavering focus and discipline.
WHAT NABI AND ZWANE SAID ABOUT NKOSANA MBUTHU
“Yes, he’s Patrick Mbuthu’s son. I played with [Patrick] Mbuthu,” Zwane told SABC Sport’s Velile Mnyandu. “He [Nkosana] is a very good player. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. He needs to focus. You know, when it comes to discipline, I don’t compromise. I always remind them.”
Nabi, Mbuthu’s current coach, echoes Zwane’s sentiments, recognising the teenager’s potential to become a prominent player. Nabi also sheds light on his tactical decision to utilise Mbuthu as a left-back, despite it not being his natural position, due to the current squad’s needs.
The teenager is a left winger or attacking midfielder but found himself at left-back against Young Africans.
“Yes, as you know, Mbuthu is a younger player. I’m sure he will be a big player in the future. Firstly, I don’t have a left-back at this moment, and he is left. I don’t push him out because I want to give him confidence, I’m happy for his performance. If I take him out, I kill him directly. My responsibility is to protect him, to progress and to improve in the future.”
The combined support and guidance from both Zwane and Nabi create a promising environment for Mbuthu to flourish at Kaizer Chiefs.
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