Youngsters still part of Kaizer Chiefs’ plans despite limited first-team chances

The synergy between Kaizer Chiefs’ first team and reserve team is still intact, despite the minimal integration of youngsters into top-flight football in recent months following structural and coaching changes.

Chiefs were full of fire and confident of turning their fortunes around this season after an intense pre-season camp in the Netherlands, where they had also invited three youngsters: Naledi Hlongwane, Thulani Mabaso, and Kabelo Nkgwesa.

But of the trio, only Hlongwane has made his senior team debut, the 19-year-old making his first and only appearance during their 2–0 win over Stellenbosch in the opening Betway Premiership clash of the season.

And with the club having since parted ways with coach Nasreddine Nabi  - who had been mandated to integrate youngsters into the team - and having signed new “experienced” players, Lebogang Maboe and Khanyisa Mayo, the trio does not seem to have a future in the senior team for now.

As a result, they have returned to the reserve team, where they are competing in the DStv Diski Challenge. This has left many wondering whether Chiefs have backtracked on their ambitions to integrate youngsters into the senior side.

Chiefs’ reserve team coach Dillon Sheppard, speaking during the launch of the 2025 Carling All-Stars team - which features Mabaso, Hlongwane, and first-team duo Brandon Petersen and Mfundo Vilakazi for now - opened up about the relationship between the seniors and the reserves.

“I think it’s the culture of the club through the years,” Sheppard said. “There’s been a close synergy between the first team and the development structures. You’ve seen over the years young players getting an opportunity to go into the first team.

“You look at the older ones and the ones who recently joined the senior team. You’ve got Mfundo, Mdu (Shabalala), (Wandile) Duba, and now Aden (McCarthy). The other three who went for pre-season are constantly being monitored. When the opportunity comes, it’s up to them to grab it with both hands.”

One player who seems to have done that is McCarthy. After being sent back to the reserves last season for failing to make the grade in the senior team, the son of Chiefs legend Fabian McCarthy has returned with vigour.

He has jumped up the pecking order in the central defensive position, thanks to his timeless tackles, reading of the game, accurate passing, and strong positional sense. Sheppard revealed what they told McCarthy to help him find his footing in the senior team.

“We had a conversation with Aden. We told him he has two choices: he can work hard, or he can put his head down. Credit to Aden - his attitude is unbelievable. He does individual training, and he has great desire and work ethic," Sheppard said.

“The three players who performed really well in pre-season are back with us, but their attitude towards their work has been top, top quality. They share their experiences with the other guys. Physically, they are ready, but we told them they need to be ready mentally as well.

“They’ll go into an environment where there’s a lot of pressure, but they’ve got a great attitude. They just need to wait for their chance and grab it with both hands.”