Latest news with #Hlongwane
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Sebokeng youngster in Netherlands for pre-season tour with Chiefs
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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
'Emphatic' or just enough? Either way Kaizer Chiefs win in Europe could lead the way in SA
Naledi Hlongwane scored the winning goal in Kaizer Chiefs' 1-0 pre-season victory over PEC Zwolle — their first win in The Netherlands after three straight defeats. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Kaizer Chiefs media department may have gone a little overboard in their description of Amakhosi's 1-0 victory over PEC Zwolle on Tuesday night. 'Emphatic win for Chiefs in Holland,' read the headline on the club's match report. Well, perhaps that's what happens when you snap a three-match losing streak — any win feels euphoric. But while the victory, courtesy of a second-half goal by substitute Naledi Hlongwane, was deserved, it was anything but emphatic. Yes, Chiefs showed marked improvement from their previous outings. They were confident in possession, moved the ball forward with purpose, and varied their attacking play — mixing long-range shots with attempts to penetrate through Zwolle's defence. Tuesday's result offered much-needed relief for a team struggling for form. Before that match, Amakhosi had lost all three of their earlier encounters on the Dutch pre-season tour — a 4-0 drubbing by FC Utrecht, a narrow 1-0 loss to NEC Nijmegen, and a 2-1 defeat to SBV Vitesse. Their final match of the five-game tour took place on Wednesday night against FC Twente. The win over Zwolle came like rain in the desert for a side in desperate need of momentum as they prepare for the 2025/26 season. Chiefs have made several new signings in a bid to arrest their decline after two consecutive seasons without a top-eight finish. The decisive goal came after Zwolle's goalkeeper failed to hold on to a shot from Mduduzi Shabalala. Hlongwane — who had come on for the injured Flavio Silva — was quickest to react, pouncing on the loose ball and burying it. His celebration was one of pure joy, shared with team-mates. It was a goal straight out of the Kaizer Chiefs Academy — both Shabalala and Hlongwane having risen through the ranks together since under-15 level. 'We have a great understanding, as we basically grew up together,' Hlongwane said. 'I know exactly what run to make, depending on the situation, and 'Shabba' knows what I will do. 'This time he decided to shoot. As a striker, you might only get one chance during a match — and that's when you have to be ready. "So, I ran towards the goalkeeper, hoping for a rebound. And that's exactly what happened. Scoring the goal was a fantastic feeling!' Head coach Nasreddine Nabi continued to rotate his squad throughout the match, finishing with Aiden McCarthy as the only player to have completed the full 90 minutes. The Tunisian tactician has used the tour to assess different players and build combinations as part of a longer-term process. That process is what Angolan defender and new captain Miguel Inacio believes will lay the foundation for a successful season — one that includes league play, domestic cups and participation in the CAF Confederation Cup. 'The victory was great. However, in pre-season, the process comes first — it's not so much about winning,' Inacio said. 'In that process, you build the Kaizer Chiefs idea. We've seen our performances improve with each match. "Right now, we're laying the foundation that's needed to do well when the season begins. Pre-season is about incorporating the coach's ideas, integrating new players, and establishing tactical understanding. "Last season, we didn't get that combination right, even though the process was sound. This time, all those elements came together, and that's what made for a great performance — and yes, even an emphatic win.'
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hlongwane hails ‘fantastic feeling' after scoring for Chiefs
'As a striker, you know that you might only get one chance to score during a match, that's when you have to be ready,' said the Chiefs attacker. Naledi Hlongwane scored the winner for Kaizer Chiefs against PEC Zwolle on Tuesday. Picture: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Chiefs' young striker Naledi Hlongwane was ecstatic after scoring the winner for Amakhosi in their 1-0 friendly win over Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle on Tuesday. Chiefs' young talent The 19 year-old was given his first professional contract by Chiefs in April and is a part of Nasreddine Nabi's squad currently in camp in the Netherlands ahead of the 2025/26 season. ALSO READ: Why was Rayners snubbed for top PSL Awards Hlongwane got his opportunity on Tuesday following an injury to Chiefs' new Portuguese striker Flavio Da Silva. And he made the most of it by netting in the 56th minute, slotting home after the Zwolle 'keeper had parried Mduduzi Shabalala's effort. It was Chiefs' first win of their training camp, after losing their previous three training matches. 'We have a great understanding, as we basically grew up together,' Hlongwane told the Chiefs official website on his relationship with Shabalala. 'So, I know exactly what run to make, depending on the situation, and 'Shabba' knows what I will do. 'This time he decided to shoot at goal. As a striker, you know that you might only get one chance to score during a match, that's when you have to be ready. So, I ran towards the goalkeeper, hoping that the ball would bounce back into the field from him. One more match in the Netherlands 'And that's how it happened. Scoring the goal was a fantastic feeling!' ALSO READ: Maart bids emotional farewell to Chiefs Chiefs will play their final training match in the Netherlands against FC Twente on Wednesday. Kick off is at 7pm.
The South African
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
New hero? Kaizer Chiefs fans pin hopes on young Hlongwane
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. 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 . '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. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Local boxer redeems himself with a fifth-round stoppage victory
After losing his unbeaten record in March in a major upset against Zambia's Simon Ngoma, North Riding boxer Kaine 'K9' Fourie has redeemed himself in a well-deserved fifth round win against Sifiso Hlongwane. Read more: Young fighters learn more than just punching at Saint Spider Boxing Academy The March loss looked like a blessing in disguise for Fourie, who looked hungrier than before. He came out in the first round, establishing his jab with an exceptionally tight defence, looking composed and settled from the outset. After four completed rounds, he remained in control. He upped the tempo and started a fierce body attack with hard combinations, dropping Hlongwane, who looked like the fight had been taken out of him. K9, smelling blood, was all over Hlongwane, who had taken enough and turned to take a knee, resulting in the referee waving it off in the fifth round. K9 explained that, going into the fight, he knew what Hlongwane was going to bring to the table, and he just had to stick to the game plan. 'I executed the plan well. I am very proud to say I came back from a very sad loss and got a stoppage victory, not many fighters can do that. As a fighter, that is where you can see if you still want to be a champion. The plan was simple: I had to go forward and make him tired and hit big body shots to slow him down.' K9 said that he knew he was going to dominate. After tasting defeat, he did not want to get that feeling again. 'After my loss, it was rough. I couldn't look anyone in the eye. I gave people who wished me to fail more fuel to talk about me, but my family and team gave me the support I needed. Looking back now, the loss was good for me, but it feels amazing to get back to my winning ways.' With his victory, Fourie's record goes up to 10 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, with 8 knockouts. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
