Kaizer Chiefs

The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya

Six new academy names to look out for at Kaizer Chiefs

Remember these names, Kaizer Chiefs fans, because you could be seeing them playing in the first team next season.

Kaizer Chiefs

The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya

There’s nothing that Kaizer Chiefs fans love more than seeing their own academy talents thrive in the first team. Remember these names.

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Kaizer Chiefs invite six academy talents to trials

Amakhosi have invited six DStv Diski Challenge youngsters to first team training where they’ll undergo trials. The names in question are Mfundo Vilakazi, Takalani Mazhamba, Thulani Mabaso, Siyabonga Gumede, Puso Dithejane and Neo Bohloko.

“What I can tell you is that they have invited six players from the Diski Challenge side and these are the players who are earmarked for promotion,” the insider confirmed on SoccerLaduma.

“Some could be promoted full-time while others would be featuring for both Diski Challenge team and the senior team depending on what the technical team wants or needs that particular week or in a specific game,” he added.

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Kaizer Chiefs Naturena
Chiefs players in a huddle at Naturena. Photo: Twitter

Mdu Shabalala shows a pathway to the first team

19-year-old Mduduzi Shabalala is already a fan favourite among Chiefs fans after a stellar campaign last time out. Arthur Zwane used him sparingly in the first half of 2022-23, but he was a first-team regular by the turn of the year and often got deployed in the number 10 role. Of the current crop of new trialists, Mfundo “Obrigado” Vilakazi is probably the one who has received the most fanfare. Can he emulate the exploits of Mdu?

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kaizer chiefs mduduzi shabalala
Mduduzi Shabalala is one of the finest prospects to come out of Naturena in some time. Image: @kaizerchiefs / Twitter.

Exciting times at Naturena!

Meanwhile, hit up James Freemantle for more insights, analysis and love for the beautiful game of football.

Also, follow The South African on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news updates