Latest news with #ManqobaOzoemena
The South African
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Confirmed: Kaizer Chiefs players return for tests
Kaizer Chiefs have become the first Betway Premiership club to return from the end-of-season break for preseason training. The Glamour Boys finished in a disappointing ninth place last term but ended on a high. It was a 2-1 victory over fierce nemesis Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup to end a 10-year trophy drought. Amakhosi will leave South Africa to hold a preseason camp in the Netherlands between 3 and 19 July, including a friendly against Eredivisie side Utrecht FC. All the names: PSL player signings linked with Kaizer Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Manqoba Ozoemena and the Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung Jr. Image: kcofficial/Instagram Kaizer Chiefs players Wandile Duba and Sibongiseni Mthethwa. Image: kcofficial/Instagram Meanwhile, reports have stated that Amakhosi have signed two new left-backs: Paseka Mako, 31, and Thabiso Monyane, 25. The duo will join the Glamours after their contracts with Orlando Pirates end on 30 June. Orlando Pirates news: Mofokeng's father and new coach update Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
FOUR Kaizer Chiefs academy stars will travel to the Netherlands
Kaizer Chiefs are sending four talented academy talents to the Netherlands when the club tours the Netherlands in July. Attacking midfielder Manqoba Ozoemena, striker Naledi Hlongwane, utility defender Kabelo Nkgwesa and holding midfielder Thulani Mabaso are all part of the group. 'Mayele will only come to South Africa for a holiday and Amapiano' As you'll know by now, Chiefs are heading to the land of Dennis Bergkamp, Virgil van Dijk and Wesley Sneijder for their European pre-season tour adventure. The Glamour Boys jet out on 03 July and conclude the tour on 19 July. It should be a fun fortnight! George Matlou, somewhat surprisingly, will be on the flight. Attacking midfielder Manqoba Ozoemena has already shown his creative spark for the DDC side, while striker Naledi Hlongwane comes with a high reputation. Utility defender Kabelo Nkgwesa and holding midfielder Thulani Mabaso are also part of the travelling party. Sirino SARS scandal simmers away Maart signs a new deal 29-year-old Yusuf Maart will stay on at Chiefs and play a vital role in their midfield, according to local reports from @UnplayableZA on X. Click for the story At the start of 2024-2025, Mdu Shabalala was a critical component in the Chiefs side, operating from the number 10 role. His output was healthy, too. However, that has dwindled dramatically. In 27 league appearances last season, he only got four goals and an assist. Click for the story Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs lock down rising star in massive 5-year deal
Kaizer Chiefs lock down a rising star in massive five-year deal. Amakhosi continue to put their future first, and their latest move proves it. The Soweto giants are finalizing a five-year deal with emerging midfield talent Manqoba Ozoemena, underlining their deep commitment to youth development and long-term squad building. This high-stakes contract, which could run until June 2030, reflects Chiefs' growing focus on elevating academy products into key senior roles. The club's strategy mirrors those of top rivals like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who've recently turned to their development pipelines for top-tier talent. Ozoemena first caught the club's attention during a pre-season tour in Turkey, where he trained with the senior team. Chiefs delayed contract talks at the time, focusing on integrating new signings. But after a strong showing in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC), the club decided to move forward with a long-term commitment. 'The talks had started last year after the trip to Turkey but they could not finalise everything as the new technical team had to look at building a team with the other players they had signed,' a source close to the situation explained. 'But after his performance in the DDC this season they are believed to have finally reached an agreement for a five-year deal.' The club clearly sees Ozoemena as a cornerstone for the future. 'It's going to run until June 2030 because they are looking at building a strong squad with some of their development products and Manqoba is one of them,' the source added. Initially, Chiefs considered loaning out Ozoemena to gain experience. But after internal discussions, the club chose to retain him in the DDC squad — a decision that paid off. 'They believe since he didn't go out on loan as they had previously planned then it worked well for the club as he has grown very well as a player while playing for the DDC,' the source noted. 'Both coaches from the DDC and the senior team have agreed that he deserves a senior team contract.' Now, with both the development and first-team coaches aligned, Chiefs are ready to reward the young midfielder with a senior team role and a long-term deal. Chiefs are not just rebuilding, they're building wisely. By investing in talented academy products like Manqoba Ozoemena, the club sends a strong message. The future of Amakhosi lies in homegrown excellence. If Ozoemena's rise is any indication, Chiefs may have just secured one of their next big stars, and fans will want to keep a close eye on what comes next. Stay tuned with The South African as Kaizer Chiefs lock down a rising star. Did the Glamour Boys make the right decision with Ozoemena? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
