Kaizer Chiefs’ youth gamble is paying off – should the rest of the PSL be worried?
Kaizer Chiefs players celebrate Glody Lilepo's goal during their Betway Premiership game against Marumo Gallants.
Image: BackpagePix
When Kaizer Chiefs edged Marumo Gallants 1–0 on Wednesday night, the result was significant – but the composition of the matchday squad perhaps spoke even louder.
Eight academy graduates featured for Amakhosi amahle, underlining a development pathway that the club’s leadership believes is central to its future. That showing provided immediate context for post-match comments from sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr, who addressed the club’s youth strategy following the final whistle.
“For us as a club, it’s extremely important to have a high percentage of our academy graduates featuring,” Motaung Jr said, according to FARPost. “It fosters our plan of sustainability. These players carry the club’s DNA and an in-depth understanding of the philosophy and culture.”
On the pitch, that philosophy was evident across all areas of the team. At the heart of defence, Zitha Kwinika partnered Aden McCarthy, while midfield duties were handled by Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Mduduzi Shabalala and Lebohang Maboe. Maboe’s inclusion was particularly notable, having returned to Chiefs earlier this season after originally emerging from the club’s youth system.
Further academy representation could be found on the bench, where Mfundo Vilakazi, Thulani Mabaso and goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma were all named among the substitutes.
The reliance on youth has coincided with a strong league campaign. Chiefs currently sit second in the Betway Premiership, just two points behind leaders and reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns. It marks their most convincing title push since the Covid-19 interrupted 2019/2020 season, when Amakhosi last challenged seriously at the top end of the table.
Speaking in the days after the match, Motaung Jr highlighted the emotional and cultural connection academy players bring to the first team.
“Our young graduates always have a very tight connection with our fan base, with an in-depth understanding of the team’s philosophy and culture,” he said. “And it’s a conscious decision and strategy we’ve implemented as we look to build a team for the future.”
Looking beyond the immediate result, he also reiterated the club’s broader ambitions for its development programme.
“We look forward to producing many more products from the KC Youth Academy,” Motaung Jr said. “Being in the first team ranks, playing their trade in the PSL, whether it be with other teams, and, of course, being directed in our sales of players overseas.”
With academy graduates trusted across the pitch during a title-chasing season, Chiefs continue to strengthen the argument that their youth system is not only productive – but foundational to their resurgence.
IOL Sport