In preparing for the 2007/8 season, Kaizer Chiefs has opted to pursue a youth policy whose objective is not only to challenge for all honours in the Premier League but to re-position the club as a powerhouse of football development in the country.

Whilst the emphasis was on creating a winning team, the Management of the club has thoroughly scrutinised the current situation in the senior team and concluded that a systemic process of addressing the age categories of the squad was necessary and imminent. Instead of scanning the local and international market for big name signings, the club opted for youngsters to rebuild its arsenal.

Two youngsters have been promoted from the Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Programme. Sihle Mbambo, an eighteen (18) year old promising defender that oozes a lot of confidence and shows determination to win a regular spot in the starting line up.

The defence is also bolstered by the acquisition of Onismor Bhasera, the twenty one (21) year old Zimbabwean International defender that has had a stint at Maritzburg United to fill the problematic left back position.

In the goalkeeping department, Markus Bocsker joins Emile Baron and Itumeleng Khune to complete the defence. The twenty five (25) year old Austrian International who worked with Coach Ertugral at SV Mattersurg was voted the best keeper in the First Division the previous season.

Sandile Zuke joins Tenashe Nengomasha and Thabo Mooki in the middle of the park to add the much needed impetus to support the striking department. The twenty (20) year old made his impressive debut at the recent Nelson Mandela National Museum Challenge in Port Elizabeth and won the favour of the faithful Amakhosi supporters.

The striking department boasts one deadly Tshepo Bulu, a striker that packs formidable punch in both legs. Described by his mentor as a nemesis to goalkeepers, the twenty three (23) year old was recruited from Pimville Young Stars, the same club that groomed and nurtured the legendary Cyril Nzama, now captain of the team.

The exciting eighteen (18) year-old Mandla Masango, whom the Coach describes as the next Shuffle, completes the striking department as a winger. According to Coach Ertugral, he spotted this gem and tried to recruit him for Ajax, but unfortunately the deal could not come through. This has since turned into his favour by consolidating his philosophy to use youngsters in the Amakhosi line up.

Team Manager Bobby Motaung describes the acquisition of youngsters as a strategic decision to pursue a youth policy whose objective is to re-engineer the Amakhosi squad for the future. “These exciting youngsters feed into our vision of promoting youth and creating a platform that would rekindle the spirit of good, yet effective and entertaining football” said Bobby.

In welcoming the lads, Coach Ertugral could not hide his excitement but acknowledged that there was a lot of improvement to be pursued on the tactical side. The Coach’s overall impression on the entire team was that there was still a serious challenge to create a systemic culture of team-work as opposed to the often-irritating individualistic approach by some team members. .

“Although these boys are obviously anxious and hungry to don the Amakhosi jersey, we first need to patiently guide their tactical awareness and synchronise that with their natural agility, pace, talent and speed. We also have to train them to be more confident and aggressive since prospects for the future seemed highly possible,” said a beaming Coach.

According to Chairman Kaizer Motaung, the club has retained most of its guard except for the departure of Rotson Kilambe and Louis Agyemang, the two strikers that have been transferred.

The Chairman confirmed that Siyabonga Nkosi would be lost to Arminia Bielefeld, a club under the tutelage of Ernst Middendorp, the Amakhosi’s former mentor in Germany. The club was still awaiting the arrival of Mabhuti Khanyeza another dangerous striker and the only big name for the team. The player has mysteriously gone underground after being carefully pursued by Naturena.

In an expression of excitement towards his new protégés, an elated Kaizer said “these are exciting times of transformation at Naturena.

Our selection of youngsters instead of big and familiar names, demonstrates our seriousness to plan for a future Kaizer Chiefs that would be unstoppable once all departments are balanced with experience and youth.

We are cognisant of the challenges that face our senior players in terms of age and experience, but instead of discarding them irrationally, we would appreciate their help in nurturing these youngsters. This approach obviously is necessary considering that we still had quite a number of youngsters that we would retain and mix with our new recruits to restore the pride and glamour of Amakhosi”.

The announcement of players obviously brings to an end all speculation and the misleading of our supporters by institutions that suggested that the Amakhosi was out on a culling mission to dispose off its players. Players like Scara Ngobese and Gert Schalkwyk have been untruthfully auctioned to other teams, in an act of lunacy that has put unnecessary pressure on their performance and mental stature.

For months, the club has come under siege with names being untruthfully tossed off and wrongfully linked to Naturena even before the 2006/7 season ended. “There is obviously more to look into and we may passionately appeal to our supporters to be patient and help us restore the formidable Amakhosi back into its winning ways,” said Motaung.

This episode is reminiscent of the late eighties and early nineties Kaizer Chiefs that saw the introduction of teenagers like Fani Madida, Gardner Seale, Joey Mabhena, Lucky Maselesele and Shakes Kungoane, Doctor Khumalo, and Lucas Radebe just to mention a few.

These youngsters swept every title under the astute guidance of legends like the late Ace Ntsoelengoe, the indomitable Scara Thindwa and many quality stars that were a nightmare to their opposition. The same approach has therefore resurfaced and endorsed by the entire Management that is confident that the Amakhosi would once more instil terror and fear into its opponents.

This move was also welcomed by Shaun Bartlett, who applauded the decision by stating that the timing and the introduction of these youngsters was just perfect at this juncture considering his age and that of his other colleagues.

In conclusion, the glory days are back at Naturena and all eyes would surely be on the new lads, their experienced counterparts and the famous Amakhosi brand!

Thebe Mohatle (Mr)


Communications Manager/PRO


0829910927