Kaizer Chiefs seem to have found a new hero in Naledi Hlongwane after their impressive 1-0 victory over Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle.
Hlongwane scored the only goal of the match, securing Amakhosi’s first win in pre-season on Tuesday evening.
Chiefs started the game with Thabiso Monyane, Nkanyiso Shinga, and Flavio da Silva in the lineup; however, it was the Dutch side that enjoyed most of the possession during the early stages of the first half.
Despite their early dominance, Kaizer Chiefs appeared more likely to score, particularly with their effective combination play.
Naledi Hlongwane secures Kaizer Chiefs first pre-season win
Nearly 10 minutes into the second half, Naledi Hlongwane, who replaced Da Silva, netted the opener after Mduduzi Shabalala’s shot hit the upright. From that moment, Nasreddine Nabi’s team looked in control, although they were unable to find a second goal.
Hlongwane’s performance drew praise from Kaizer Chiefs fans. His coach at development Vela Khumalo has urged the club’s supporters not to expect too much too soon from the youngster.
“Hlongwane is a promising youngster, and I have heard reports that he is excelling with the first team over in the Netherlands,” he told KickOff.com.
“However, I’m not sure if this is the right time for him to join the first team. He might face pressure since the team is not performing well at the moment.
“It’s a catch-22 situation – whether he will live up to expectations or whether he needs to be supported by older, more experienced players to excel. It’s a tricky situation. But he is ready,” Khumalo said.
Hlongwane is sure to be a starter in some of Kaizer Chiefs’ pre-season matches. Amakhosi will conclude their tour to the Netherlands when they face FC Twente.
Can Hlongwane be the new Amakhosi saviour?
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