Kaizer Chiefs have handed academy striker Naledi Hlongwane a professional contract. Hlongwane is one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the Amakhosi academy ranks.
His remarkable performance in the Carling All-Stars match against Magesi FC in December captured the spotlight. The teenager netted two goals in a 3-0 victory and won the Man of the Match award.
The talented striker from Sebokeng has also been instrumental for Chiefs DStv Diski Challenge team. He has scored 11 goals this season, significantly contributing to the club’s pursuit of the reserve league title.
Recently, he earned a national team call-up as a makeshift Bafana Bafana squad faced Egypt in the CHAN. However, he did not feature in the first leg, which was hosted in Bloemfontein.
The Soweto giants have since secured the young talent with a long-term contract, demonstrating their confidence in his future potential. In December, Chiefs’ head coach Nasreddine Nabi expressed optimism about the 19-year-old forward’s potential.
WHAT NABI SAID ABOUT DDC STAR NALEDI HLONGWANE
The Tunisian mentor said there was “a very good collaboration within the club, especially with the DDC coach. He further said that the senior team’s coaches get regular reports about the players ready to train with the first team. Hlongwane has previously trained with the senior team alongside Aden McCarthy.
“It’s not something that started because Hlongwane has scored two goals. It’s been a process, and we want to go through the process, not to get emotional because someone scored two goals in a friendly game, and then suddenly he can play in a big club like Kaizer Chiefs,” explained Nabi at the time.
“It’s a process and within those three that will be invited, the one who is going to perform is going to be given a chance to stay and to play with the first team.”
Nabi has used a number of academy graduates, such as Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, Samkelo Zwane, and Mfundo Vilakazi, during his first season with Amakhosi.
At Young Africans in Tanzania, Nabi gave teenage Clement Mzize a chance, and the 21-year-old has continued to shine.
He will be hoping to have the same effect on Hlongwane. The youngster arrived at Chiefs through his development coach in Vanderbijlpark, Zacharia Nale, who recognised Hlongwane’s abilities and introduced him to the then-youth coach at Chiefs, Arthur Zwane.
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