Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has praised a Kaizer Chiefs youngster, stating that he’s a quality player that any PSL coach would be keen on.
Mngqithi is preparing to lead the Carling All Stars team against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The All Stars are facing the Soweto giants, who are the reigning Carling Knockout Cup champions after winning the title last weekend.
Pirates defeated Marumo Gallants 1-0 in the CKO final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium to lift the second domestic trophy of the 2025/26 season, having won the MTN8 earlier in the season.
The Sea Robbers clinched the Carling Cup after brushing aside teams such as Siwelele FC, Magesi FC, and Richards Bay FC before beating Gallants in the final. Pirates will face the All Stars, voted for by the fans, without some of their key players, who are in camp with Bafana Bafana preparing for the AFCON in Morocco.
Abdeslam Ouaddou’s charges will lock horns with All Stars without Sipho Mbule, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Sipho Chaine, Evidence Makgopa, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Thalente Mbatha.
The highly anticipated exhibition match will offer DStv Diski Challenge players such as Thulani Mabaso, Thato Nkabinde, Bennett Mokoena, and Naledi Hlongwane an excellent opportunity to showcase their talent.
MANQOBA MNGQITHI RAVES ABOUT NALEDI HLONGWANE
Hlongwane, who was also part of the All Stars team last season and scored a brace, has received plaudits from Mngqithi. The former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor said any PSL coach will be interested in signing the young striker.
“There are quite a lot of youngsters that really caught my eye, I must be honest, but I think Naledi Hlongwane from Chiefs, he’s somebody that any coach in the PSL will be interested in having,” Mngqithi said.
“Bennet Mokoena, I think, is a very good football player who deserves an opportunity. I was particularly impressed with the younger goalkeeper from Chiefs [Naphtali Mokoena]. I can’t remember his name correctly, but he’s very technically sound and a whole lot of other boys from AmaZulu. It’s difficult to remember their names in two days; in other words, I don’t want to single out one individual, there are quite a number of young boys.”
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