Kaizer Chiefs is poised to add another young talent to its ranks as the club prepares to integrate Royce Malatji into the first-team training squad. The 16-year-old has been making waves in the youth ranks and has caught the attention of the club’s coaching staff.
Under the guidance of coach Nasreddine Nabi, the Chiefs have seen a wave of young players thrive, with several academy graduates making significant contributions to the first team.
Notable names like Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, and Mfundo Vilakazi have all earned their spots through impressive performances.
Malatji, a versatile player capable of operating at right-back, central defense, right wing, or even as a central midfielder, has impressed with his skills and potential.
According to sources close to the club, both the technical and coaching teams have agreed that Malatji is ready for the next step in his development.
“He’s just 16, but he’s incredibly talented,” a source told Soccer-Laduma.
“It doesn’t matter where he plays; he’s just good. That’s why both 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.”
While Malatji will be training with the first team, the club plans to allow him to continue playing with the DDC side to ensure a gradual transition.
This approach has proven successful in the past with players like Mdu Shabalala, Samkelo Zwane, Mfundo Vilakazi, and Wandile Duba.
“They’re letting him grow while playing with the DDC team, even when he trains with the senior team,” a source explained.
“They know that he has to learn from the senior team players, just like they’ve been doing with the other youngsters. They want to keep these young talents in the team for the future, and Royce is one of them.”
The inclusion of Malatji in the first-team setup is a testament to the club’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.
As Chiefs continues to produce promising players from its academy, fans are eagerly anticipating the next generation of stars to make their mark on the Amakhosi.