SEBOKENG.- Naledi Hlongwane is part of the Kaizer Chiefs players involved in the pre-season tour in the Netherlands.

This Sebokeng-born youngster has been featuring in some of Chiefs’ pre-season matches, and Sedibeng Ster Sport has been told that coach Nasreddine Nabi is impressed with his performance. Hlongwane was promoted to the Chiefs senior team after his impressive performance for the Chiefs DSTV Diski Challenge (DDC) team.

He also stunned many when he scored a brace against Magesi in the Carling Black Label exhibition match in December. Much was said and written about Hlongwane after this performance. He was all over the media and social media platforms, with Amakhosi hailing him as a wonderkid on the block – an answer to the club’s scoring problems.

Not only that, he was rewarded for his outstanding performance with the Man of the Match Award. This is the same performance that caught the attention of Nabi, and Chiefs offered this youngster a professional contract. Hlongwane started his amateur football career playing for the Nale Development Academy in Vanderbijlpark. Before he joined Chiefs’ development teams, Nale Development Academy recommended him to the U17 National Technical Team.

He was only 14 years of age when he joined the Chiefs’ development. Hlongwane was instrumental when the Chiefs were crowned the DDC Champions for 2024/2025. He scored crucial goals for the team. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, a source who is close to the boy at Naturena said Nabi is happy with Hlongwane’s performance.

“I do not doubt that the boy is going to be part of the coach’s plan come next season. The good thing about the coach is that he believes in the youngsters, and Hlongwane won’t struggle to fit in with his plans. We received feedback from the Netherlands that the boy is doing very well for the senior team,” said one of the club’s development coaches.