Following a dominant DStv Diski Challenge campaign, Kaizer Chiefs are preparing for a youth revolution in the 2025/26 season under coach Nasreddine Nabi, the Siya crew has learnt.
Chiefs are set to usher in a new era by promoting a host of exciting talents from their championship-winning DDC team to the senior squad, Siya sources have revealed.
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After choosing not to promote any players for the current campaign – opting instead to allow new head coach Nasreddine Nabi and his technical team time to assess the senior squad – the Soweto giants are now poised to integrate more youth, taking inspiration from domestic rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who have successfully transitioned academy stars into first-team regulars.
Amakhosi’s decision comes on the back of their DDC side being crowned 2024/25 champions this past weekend, following a convincing 3-0 victory over Magesi at Dobsonville Stadium.
Imaad Hendricks opened the scoring in the 36th minute before second-half goals from Nkosana Mbuthu and Thulani Mabaso sealed the win and, crucially, the title with one round of fixtures still to play.
Their position at the summit was further solidified after the PSL Disciplinary Committee awarded Chiefs a 3-0 win over Chippa United for a no-show in February, propelling them to 64 points – six clear of Stellenbosch FC with just one game remaining.
One player already making strides into the senior fold is Aden McCarthy, who was named on the bench in the recent 2-1 defeat to Marumo Gallants.
He is expected to be the first of many DDC stars to step up in the coming months.
A growing list of promising talents are knocking on the first-team door. Among them, midfielder Nkosana Mbuthu, whose composure and eye for goal were on display again in the Magesi win, and Siphesihle Tati, who is being groomed as a creative playmaker for the future.
The versatile Manqoba Ozoemena, recently tied down to a five-year contract, and goalkeeper Bontle Molefe, widely regarded as a future Bafana Bafana contender, are also in line for promotion.
The club’s recent promotion of young left-back Kabelo Nkgwesa earlier this year is another indicator that Chiefs are serious about youth development and creating a sustainable pathway from their academy to Naturena’s main stage.
“We didn’t want to rush into promoting players last season. The priority was to give Coach Nabi the space to assess the squad and focus on the experienced first-team players in his first season. Now that the foundation is set, we’re ready to integrate some of our most promising DDC talents into the senior setup,” an insider revealed to the Siya crew.
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As Nabi looks to refresh and reshape his squad for the 2025/26 campaign, the blend of youth and experience could be key to returning the Glamour Boys to their former glory.
With the club’s development system showing signs of real progress, fans may finally witness the long-awaited emergence of a new generation of stars proudly donning the gold and black in the PSL.
