New players at Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates could soon be blooding brand-new players in their Betway Premiership squads.
Kaizer Chiefs welcome teenage talent into the fold
Amakhosi’s technical team have uncovered another gem. 16-year-old teenage prodigy Royce Malatji has had a taste of first-team training at Naturena and he seems to be a player capable of playing several positions. The most talented youngsters often can. With a name like Royce, perhaps he’s destined for the top.
“He is just 16 years old but he is very good. He can play at right back, central defence, right-wing or even as a central midfielder. It doesn’t matter where he plays – he is just good!,” the Siya crew stated on SoccerLaduma.
“That’s why both technical teams have agreed that he joins the senior team. He has a great future ahead of him and they want to nurture him in the right environment,” they added.
What’s Tshobeni’s potential role with Orlando Pirates?
Orlando Pirates have shipped left-footed Azola Tshobeni out on loan for the past three seasons at JDR Stars in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. The 22-year-old is training with the senior side and current Betway Premiership leaders. Jose Riveiro’s side have six wins from six in the league, a flawless start in their quest to wrestle the title away from Sundowns. Pirates’ depth in the final third means game time for Tshobeni is unlikely but watch this space. 20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng and 19-year-old Mohau Nkota are far ahead of him in the pecking order so he’ll need to make an instant impact when he gets his chance in 2024-2025.
Pirates is a good place for youngsters to prosper
Relebohile Mofokeng has already surpassed 50 appearances for the club and only turned 20 on October 23rd. Meanwhile, Nkota recently scored a match-winning brace against AmaZulu in the league.
“For me, it will be a good time for him (Mofokeng) to go overseas. It is the right time and there are things that he would learn if he were to move now at this stage of his career. The more we keep him this side it could mean that we are delaying him. He is 20, and I think it is the right time for him to move if he has to be sold overseas,” said former Bucs development coach Mandla Qhogi.
Will Tshobeni or Malatji make breakthroughs this season?
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