Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the promotion of three players from their reserve team, Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba and Samkelo Zwane, to the first team.
The trio have been rewarded for their impressive performances in recent years, with Chiefs’ development teams winning major tournaments in their respective divisions. Molefi Ntseki, Head of Technical and Development Academy at Amakhosi, says their victory in the Engen Champ of Champs tournament gave them confidence that they had enough quality to make the promotions.
“This was a very great success because over the years we had never even won the Gauteng provincial leg before,” Ntseki said on the club’s official website.
Shabalala and Duba had already been promoted to the first team at the beginning of the season, but their participation was limited due to their demanding school commitments. Now that they have completed their matric, they will be available to head coach Arthur Zwane on a full-time basis.
“From 1 December they started training full time with the first team squad, because before that Mdu and Duba were still at school and writing exams,” Ntseki confirmed.
Samkelo Zwane, who has been touted as Njabulo Blom’s successor in defensive midfield, will continue to have dual roles. He will train with the first team but still play for the DDC team.
Ntseki also stressed the importance of education for their development players. “As we know in football, talent is not enough and we are aware that youngsters go through various stages of development, so education plays a very important role,” he said. “The Club works with the parents to ensure the player goes to school and maintains discipline, which is essential to success in football.
Kaizer Chiefs have now confirmed the promotion of Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba and Samkelo Zwane from their reserve team to the first team. Shabalala and Duba will now be available to head coach Arthur Zwane on a full-time basis, while Zwane will train with the first team but still play for the DDC team. The club has also emphasised the importance of education for their development players, working with the parents to ensure the players attend school and maintain discipline.
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