Kaizer Chiefs’ young champions are packing their bags for an adventure that stretches far beyond football. Tonight, the club’s DStv Diski Challenge winners depart for England, where they’ll take on the U21 teams of Manchester United, Leeds United and QPR.
It’s the kind of opportunity many academy players only dream about, and at Naturena, there’s a buzz that feels bigger than a pre-season camp or an end-of-year tour. This one feels like a glimpse into the future.
A Trip That’s Bigger Than Football
Chiefs reserve team assistant coach Dillon Sheppard didn’t mince his words about the magnitude of the journey. For him, it’s not only about the matches, but about what the young Amakhosi will see, feel and absorb along the way.
He emphasised how stepping into places like Carrington, Old Trafford and the Etihad will imprint memories the players will carry for life. And if you’ve ever heard a South African youngster talk about their first time seeing snow or stepping into a world-class facility, you know exactly what he means.
Cold, rainy Manchester is a world away from a sunny highveld training session. That culture shock alone can build resilience.
Manchester, Leeds, QPR: Three Tests, Three Lessons
The tour schedule reads like a football fan’s dream itinerary:
Manchester United first, then Leeds United, and finally Queens Park Rangers in London.
Each opponent offers its own history, culture and style of play. Leeds, in particular, adds a touch of South African flair, with its well-known connection to local footballers through the years.
For Chiefs, facing clubs with globally respected academies allows their players to measure themselves against some of the best young talents in Europe. As Sheppard put it, these are environments built on producing excellence, and that’s precisely the standard the Diski Challenge champions want to benchmark themselves against.
Gratitude, Growth And A Player On The Rise
One of the standout young talents on the tour is SA U20 striker Naledi Hlongwane, whose goals were instrumental in the team’s title run.
Hlongwane’s journey has been anything but stagnant. From spending time with Chiefs’ first team to travelling to the Netherlands for pre-season, his 2025 has been a whirlwind of milestones. Even though he missed out on playing at the U20 AFCON in Egypt, the experience left him hungry for more, and this UK tour feels like another step on his upward path.
His message ahead of departure was simple: stay grateful, stay humble, stay hungry.
“For many youngsters, their dream is to be here,” he said. “So you have to remain grateful and continue giving your all.”
What This Means For Chiefs’ Youth Pathway
Sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jr has been vocal about strengthening the club’s youth development structure. This trip fits neatly into that strategy.
Sending players abroad at developmental age exposes them to different training methods, tactical systems and football cultures. It also tests how they adapt under pressure, far from home, in unfamiliar conditions.
For South African football, tours like these help close the gap between local youth competition and the demands of elite European setups. They build confidence, broaden horizons and remind young players that the world is much bigger than the PSL.
A Journey That Could Shape Careers
For a group of young men who grew up watching the Premier League on TV, stepping onto those iconic grounds will be surreal. But beyond the thrill lies something even more important: growth.
These experiences have a way of hardening a player, broadening their mindset and sharpening their ambition. Chiefs’ youngsters aren’t just travelling for matches; they’re travelling for perspective.
And sometimes, that’s the difference between a good footballer and a great one.
If they return with even half the lessons Sheppard hopes for, this trip could be remembered as a turning point in their careers, and maybe even in the future of Kaizer Chiefs.
Source: SABC Sport
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