SEDIBENG.- Kgotso Nhlapo (25) is one of the players in the SAFA Sedibeng Hollywoodbets Men’s Regional League who is supposed to be in top-flight football by now.

This VUT FC Central-Back (CB) has all the qualities to compete against the best in the world. Sedibeng Ster Sport has been following this former Kaizer Chiefs development youngster for quite some time now.

He is one of the best defenders in the SAFA Sedibeng Regional League to date.

His ability to read the game and his long-ball distributions separate him from the rest in the league. He is blessed with a kicking technique, using both feet (left and right) equally. Despite his age, Sedibeng Ster Sport believes he still has a great future ahead of him.

For example, at one stage, he was hailed as a future Bafana Bafana defender because of his ability and intimidating figure. Nhlapo is not one of those defenders who you would see tackling on the ground.

He is always on his feet, whether it is in a one-on-one situation, but it is very rare to see him tackling on the ground.

He’s one of those players who come out in the field with his shorts still neat. He was one of the Chiefs’ development players who had the potential to be promoted to the senior team.

Apart from playing for VUT FC, he is also a student there, preparing for life after football. After he completed his matric, he was a Kaizer Chiefs player, supposed to be promoted to the DSTV Diski Challenge Team.

Nhlapo could have been one of the youngsters to represent South Africa in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in June. He went through development structures at an early age.

He was destined for a greater future in football, but even at 25, he still has a future ahead of him. He has been an outstanding performer for VUT FC for the past four seasons.

He was also the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Varsity Football team captain, and showed his leadership qualities apart from being a great defender. Nhlapo is an example that talent shouldn’t be wasted.