Encouraging signs of progress are taking place within Kaizer Chiefs’ development structures. The club’s U17 team are said to be impressing in the Soweto Football Association.
The junior Glamour Boys are favourites to win the title after thrashing counterparts Bloemfontein Celtic by a 7-0 score-line.
Read: Chiefs Feature: How To Reach The Top
The Amakhosi youngsters currently lead the table with 50 points after just 18 matches played. Senaone Gunners are second place, but trail log-leaders Chiefs by three points.
Chiefs’ development coach and club legend, Ryder Mofokeng, was full of praise for the Arthur Zwane-coached team.
He told the club’s official website, “The team has been doing very well and the boys have matured since participating in the Bayhill Tournament in Cape Town earlier this year."
"The team has also participated in a couple of tournaments including Future Champions and Engen Knockout Cup, where they lost narrowly to Mamelodi Sundowns.”
Mofokeng went on to reveal some of the players who had done well recently.
“Against Bloemfontein Celtic (recently) they were on fire scoring seven without reply from the opponents. The likes of midfielders Mpho Khumalo (16) from Pimville, Thato Khiba (16) from White City and Lenasia born striker, Waaseem Jaden (16) are among the players who have done well in the past couple of months.”
He added, “Of course the focus for us at the development is never about the winning or the score but rather to develop these players, but it is also important to instil an element of a winning mentality.”
Developing young stars who play according to the overall football philosophy and vision of the club is something coach Stuart Baxter once emphasised to Soccer-Laduma, in edition 821.
He said, "We want Chiefs' supporters to see themselves in how we play."
With the club making only one major acquistion in the past transfer window, when Knowledge Musona joined on loan, it could be that the club are looking to develop and promote their own young talent into the first team.
Read: Where Are Chiefs New Signings?
In other developments from Naturena, Chiefs’ U19s are currently playing friendly matches in preparation for the upcoming regional Castle League season. The season gets underway in mid-September.
By David Minchella
Follow David on Twitter: @DavidLaduma
