Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has paid a glowing tribute to his protégé Njabulo Blom after his transfer to American side St. Louis City SC.
Blom earned himself a stay at the Village after his trials were successful and was roped in into the Under-17 team from the recommendation by Ryder Mofokeng. At the time, Zwane was coaching the Under-19s, but he got familiar with the Soweto native after frequenting matches of the U17s.
'10111' was in charge of the Diski Challenge side when Blom was promoted to the first team in 2019 under former head coach Ernst Middendorp. Working closely with the senior team, Zwane was the link between the development players and the senior team and played a big role in helping Blom's transition to play with the big boys.
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After the departure of Middendorp, Zwane got more involved with the senior team as an assistant coach to Stuart Baxter and later had the same role under Gavin Hunt, alongside Dillion Sheppard, before 'Mangethe' was handed over the reigns as a head coach this season. Zwane says he has known Blom since he was a young boy and is happy for him to get an opportunity to play overseas.
"I've known Njabulo since he said via the club's official website.
"We are glad for him that he is going to another level, where he believes he will be taking his game to another level. It's high time we as a nation export our players."
'Stoppa', as the Amakhosi academy graduate is known, played a big role in the team under Zwane but '10111' says he is not saddened by his departure, as he got a wonderful opportunity to spread his wings and he knows he won't let the club down.
"Njabulo got the opportunity and we wish him well. We know he is going to represent the brand very well in America at his new team," he said.
"More than anything, we wish him well in his future endeavours. We know he is not going to let us down, because he is a soldier of note," he added.
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