Kaizer Chiefs legend Reneilwe Letsholonyane has weighed in on Njabulo Blom’s challenges since the defender-cum-midfielder rejoined the Soweto giants on loan.
The 25-year-old rejoined Amakhosi on a season long-loan from St. Louis City SC, looking to revive his career after struggling for game-time last season in the MLS.
Blom came through the Chiefs development ranks, and he was promoted to the senior team in 2019. The utility player made a name for himself, playing in both right-back and central-midfield positions.
At some point, Blom, who made the move to the MLS in December 2022, was a regular in Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad before falling out of favour at St Louis.
The talented midfielder rejoined the Soweto giants in September 2024 on a season-long loan with an option to buy from St. Louis City.
Since his return to the Betway Premiership, Blom has seemingly struggled to hold a regular starting berth at Chiefs. His coach, Nasreddine Nabi, recently admitted that the latter hasn’t been at his best, while the club’s high-demanding supporters have also raised concerns over his performances.
WHAT RENEILWE LETSHOLONYANE SAID ABOUT NJABULO BLOM’S FORM
Letsholonyane, who has experience bossing the Chiefs’ midfield, says Blom is struggling to catch up with the pace of the game in the PSL but will return to his best.
“I feel like Blom’s struggles are the same as Thabo Cele’s; they are both struggling with the intensity since arriving from Europe,” Letsholonyane told FARPost. “So I think for some reason because we know Blom because he played in the league before, we have become too hard on him. He will need time to readjust.
“Unfortunately for Blom, as I said, he was here before, and people are not expecting him to struggle with the intensity. But the truth is, when he wasn’t here, he needed to adjust to a different space and a different way of doing things.
“Now, he needs to readjust, and he will need time. I’m sure when he gets the intensity that is required for the PSL level and manages it properly, he will definitely be a key player.”
Blom has featured in 18 matches across all competitions for Chiefs this season, with most of his appearances as a second-half substitute.
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