Kaizer Chiefs starlet Hlongwane earns Bafana Bafana call up
Kaizer Chiefs starlet Naledi Hlongwane has earned a late Bafana Bafana call-up ahead of the CHAN qualifiers clash against Egypt on Sunday afternoon in Bloemfontein.
Bafana will take on the Pharaohs over two legs in the first round of African Nations Championship [CHAN] qualifiers, with the winner set to progress to the second round to be played in May 2025.
The first tie will be staged at the Free State Stadium on Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 17:00. The Bafana Bafana CHAN will then travel to North Africa in Cairo for the return leg on Sunday, 9 March 2025.
Former Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki will take charge of the team with the assistance of national Under-20 coach Raymond Mdaka.
Ntseki’s appointment comes after Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele stepped back from coaching the CHAN squad, stating that his priority is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin in a few weeks.
Ntseki, formerly Head of Academy at Chiefs, knows Hlongwane from his time at Amakhosi. The 19-year-old is knocking on the senior team’s door.
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. He was named the Man of the Match in that match.
The talented striker from Sebokeng has also made noteworthy contributions to the Chiefs DDC team, having found the net seven times this season.
WHY KAIZER CHIEFS STAR HLONGWANE HAS BEEN CALLED UP TO BAFANA BAFANA
With the qualifier coming right in the middle of the Betway Premiership programme, a lot of clubs were unwilling to release their players. The national selectors have called a number of inactive senior players like Orlando Pirates star Monnapule Saleng, Jamie Webber of Sekhukhune United, and Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Terrence Mashego and Neo Maema.
The inclusion of Hlongwane, who has proven his eye for goal, adds firepower upfront. The teenager will be hoping to have the same impact he had in the Carling All Stars match. He joins his DDC teammate Aden McCarthy, who was also called up to the squad.
If he continues on this trajectory of growth and development, there’s a strong possibility that Hlongwane could secure a professional senior team contract at Chiefs.
With the buzz surrounding Hlongwane’s future intensifying, Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi recently expressed optimism regarding the forward’s potential.
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.
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