Kaizer Chiefs have sanctioned loan moves for two of their most promising young talents, Manqoba ‘Pelembe’ Ozoemena and Ofentse ‘Flash’ Kgosana, who join Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars for the remainder of the season.
The decision sees two of Naturena’s standout DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] prospects join a Casric Stars outfit that has established itself as a perennial challenger for promotion to the Betway Premiership. The Mpumalanga outfit is currently second in the Motsepe Foundation table, with 25 points from 14 games. They trail log leaders Milford United by two points.
Ozoemena, a versatile midfielder hailing from White City, Soweto, has long been earmarked for success. The 21-year-old’s stock rose significantly during the first team’s pre-season training camp in Turkey, where he caught the eye of former head coach Nasreddine Nabi.
Nabi, who notably guided the Glamour Boys to a Nedbank Cup title during his tenure, was a vocal admirer of Ozoemena’s adaptability. Capable of operating as a number 10, a dynamic winger, or a modern wing-back in a 3-5-2 system, Ozoemena is expected to add a new dimension to Casric’s attack.
While Chiefs management considered a loan move last season, they ultimately opted to keep him at the Village to monitor his growth. Having dominated the DDC ranks, the club now believes he is physically and tactically ready for the rigours of the demanding second tier.
WHY CASRIC STARS
Joining Ozoemena is 19-year-old Ofentse Kgosana, a wing back whose explosive pace has earned him the nickname ‘Flash.’ Kgosana’s departure was hinted at via emotional parting tributes on his Instagram stories from teammates on Wednesday.
Born in 2006 in Tembisa, the talented full-back has been a standout for the Amakhosi U-19 and DDC sides. On the other, Kgosana was a vital part of the COSAFA U-20 winning squad, he narrowly missed out on the FIFA U20 World Cup and AFCON squads. .
The loan to Casric Stars is viewed as the perfect platform for him to refine his final-third delivery and gain the physical edge required for senior football.
Casric Stars have established themselves as a formidable force in the second tier. They have been consistently finishing near the top of the table. By sending Ozoemena and Kgosana to KwaMhlanga, Amakhosi are ensuring their youngsters play under high-pressure conditions where winning is expected weekly.
Meanwhile, Chiefs defender Bobo Sima has joined Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the FNB Botswana Premiership on a season-long loan. After facing limited playing time during his previous stint with TS Galaxy, the 20-year-old returned to Naturena. He was playing for the club’s DStv Diski Challenge team. Sima joins Orlando Pirates’ loanee Tefo Mofokeng at Centre Chiefs.
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