The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya
Kaizer Chiefs trialist ‘Neymar’ warned about the demands at Naturena
Kaizer Chiefs are putting a young trialist known as ‘Neymar’ through his paces and he’s been warned by a compatriot about their high demands.
The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya
Highly-rated Mozambican star Amansio Joao Pita “Neymar” Canhembe will need to be aware of the rigours and demands at Kaizer Chiefs.
It’s quite a mouthful, so let’s just call him Neymar Canhembe for the sake of brevity.
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Kaizer Chiefs trialist Neymar warned by compatriot about demands at the club
The Glamour Boys have space in their squad for more foreigners and ‘Neymar’ is still in contention to take one of those slots. His compatriot Jose Macamo, once of Chiefs, has warned him that the demands at the club are different to elsewhere.
The youngster just returned from Portugal after stints with Sporting Lisbon’s development side and reserve teams of Vitoria Setubal and Maritimo.
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“Whether Chiefs sign him or not, what I know is that going to Chiefs is not like being at any other club because the demands are different,” Jose Macamo told KickOff.
“It is never easy to arrive at Chiefs as a foreign player because there is always that constant pressure that you should always be prepared to handle.
Besides Edmilson Dove, Macamo remains the only other Mozambican to ever play for Amakhosi in the PSL era.
Macamo advises his compatriot ‘Neymar’ Canhembe
“What I know is that when you go to Chiefs you must be ready for the demands. I will give an example of myself. Before I went to Chiefs, I had played for Costa do Sol in the Champions League and understood the weight of expectations.
“In my head I went to Chiefs already having planted a mindset of that I must win trophies and try to make a difference. I was ready for the crowds at the stadium and all the attention that will come with it.
“I wasn’t afraid of the challenge at Chiefs and luckily, I had a coach and players who supported me. We had a winning team which is why we won three trophies in six months.
“For Neymar, I think it will all depend on the coach at Chiefs whose style will have to suit him. It will obviously be a new style. The fact that not a lot of players have played for Mozambique tells you about how tough it is to play for Chiefs.
“I honestly wish him well beçause I know he is a good player who can play in midfield and further up the pitch,” says Macamo.
Neymar Canhembe is currently in Johannesburg awaiting feedback from Chiefs management.
Meanwhile, you can get more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game from James Freemantle
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