Veteran development coach Farouk Khan has probed the tough spells for most of Kaizer Chiefs academy products on loan at Premier Soccer League [NFD] clubs in recent seasons.
This is a worrisome trend that has invited scrutiny over how players are groomed at Naturena. After Amakhosi development product Mduduzi Mdantsane returned to his boyhood club Chiefs, he struggled for regular football before being loaned out to Richards Bay FC last season, where his experience could not count.
“Previously, promising academy products such as Darrel Matsheke, Yusuf Bunting, Lebohang Lesako, Keletso Sifama, Thabo Mokoena, Given Thibedi, Itumeleng Shopane, and Chris Matombo, among others, were unable to leverage their loan stints into permanent first-team roles at Amakhosi.
Sifama, Bunting, Shopane and Mokoena appear to have disappeared from the scene, while Thibedi and Lesako are at Orbit College FC. Midfielder Sabelo Radebe ended up being released by Chiefs following an unsuccessful loan stint at Richards Bay FC. The 26-year-old is now at Lerumo Lions in the second-tier league after spending the first half of the current season clubless.
This season, the Soweto giants have sent some of their reserve-team players to fight for first-team opportunities elsewhere. Most of the loanees are in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, and they have struggled to turn themselves into key players at their respective clubs.
Versatile starlets Manqoba Ozoemena and Ofentse Kgosana are yet to make an impact at Casric Stars FC after joining the National First Division [NFD] side in January. At Gomora United, defenders Siyabonga Gumede and Sifiso Timba are also yet to have their presence felt since arriving at the club in January.
Goalkeeper Bontle Molefe is at Leicesterford City FC together with defender Nkosana Mbuthu. The latter has been enjoying more game time. Vicky Mkhwanazi has earned some minutes at promotion-chasing Kruger United.
Defender Bobo Sima went to Botswana in January to join Mochudi Centre Chiefs, but it is Xolani Cossa who has had standout performances at Black Lions FC in that country. Donay Jansen is back with Chiefs’ DStv Diski side after failing to make an impact at SuperSport United last season.
Having played top-flight league football for a couple of years, Samkelo Zwane and Happy Mashiane arrived at Betway Premiership side Siwelele FC with high expectations, but they have found it tough. Mashiane has made just one appearance for Siwelele, and that came in September 2025.
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These struggles among loanees have raised questions about Amakhosi development coaches’ ability to groom players into quality products. “I would be presumptuous to say it is maybe because of the grooming they are getting,” said Farouk Khan in an interview with FARPost.
“But sometimes it is because of our expectations on these youngsters. During my time at Chiefs, I was able to help young players adapt and not struggle when they go to the senior team. Muhsin [Ertugral] was working with me at that time, and he also knew how to handle young players. So when it comes to these boys. I think it’s just a case of not being exposed to the rigours of other leagues, whether NFD or the PSL.
“The NFD is very difficult. Teams play there to get promoted and youngsters can’t cope. Expectations are too high on them. Some coaches have no time and patience for players coming from development because they trust ready-made guys to help them with promotion.
“Look at Kgomotso Madiba at Fluminese [in Brazil], they are not rushing him even though his physicality is his advantage. Transition from the academy to a professional set-up is not as easy as we think. Different levels.
“So with these boys, I think it is that there has not been time to transition. DDC is not as physical as the NFD. The players also do not have time to express themselves because the club is chasing promotion to the PSL,” added the ex-Chiefs assistant coach.
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Some players have seamlessly transitioned from the reserve league straight into top-flight league football. The likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Mohau Nkota shot from development ranks to regularly start matches for Orlando Pirates.
“In the case of Rele, he was at the School of Excellence, where they polished him well, and it also depends on individual ability as a player,” Khan went on.
“Look at Mbokazi, you can see he was ready, and his physicality, he was much bigger than a 19 or 20-year-old. Nkota came from Kimberley, and Pirates prepared him for the long term. It also goes back to individual ability.”
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“Then there is this issue whereby some boys don’t want to be there, they don’t want to play in the NFD. They don’t want to be there. It disconnects the player from the club,” declared Khan.
“The club is now sitting with a player who is not mentally stable to be there. But it’s not a bad idea to go to these clubs. Even Barcelona will loan you to a lower division team.
“But to make my point clear, I’m not saying the development coaching is bad at Chiefs. There is a long way to go, though and a lot to do in development in South African football in general.”
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