Next Mfundo Vilakazi? Chiefs offer youngster new long-term deal!

Next Mfundo Vilakazi? Chiefs offer youngster new long-term deal!

Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly decided the future of one of their star players, ahead of the next season.

Chiefs are looking to keep with their tradition of promoting young players and giving them a chance in the seniors.

There has been a long list of Chiefs development players who have eventually become first-team members. Looking at the current squad, you can go back as far as veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune. The former Bafana Bafana number one was promoted to the first team all of 20 years ago now. Defender Zitha Kwinika, was promoted as Macheke in 2015, before going off to enjoy first team football elsewhere. After spells at Chippa United, Bidvest Wits and Stellenbosch FC, he returned home ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Chiefs have continued with youth tradition

And of the younger brigade, Happy Mashiane, Nkonsigiphile Ngcobo, Sabelo Radebe, Wandile Duba, Mduduzi Shabalala, Samkelo Zwane and Mfundo Vilakazi. Chiefs recently announced a new four-year senior deal for Vilakazi, who is now making more appearances from the bench. Duba who also had his moments earlier this year is believed to be next to have his senior contract signed. If that wasn’t enough, it is believed versatile star Donay Jansen will also get a new senior deal.

Jansen was promoted to the Chiefs first team at the same time as Vilakazi. Although yet to make his first team bow, he is edging ever so closer, having made the subs bench against AmaZulu.

Jansen next to benefit?

“They are looking at next season already and they want to keep as many youngsters from their development as they can. So for Donay (Jansen) it’s a four-year contract which will apparently run from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028. They are tying most of their youngsters to long term contracts because they are looking at the future. Most of these youngsters are good players. They just need to be given a playing chance and with a good mixture of youth and experience Chiefs can be the team to look up to in the next few seasons starting from next season,” said the source to Soccer-Laduma.

At the age of 21, Jansen will be hoping to get his first team opportunities as soon as possible at Chiefs.